The Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham joined Oskaloosa and Mahaska County officials to announce the Oskaloosa Innovation Park, the latest site to achieve certification through the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s (IEDA) Certified Sites Program.
“Our Certified Sites Program gives Iowa a tremendous advantage in attracting outstanding companies and jobs to our state,” Durham said. “Companies that are looking to build new facilities are working on aggressive timelines and want sites that are ready to go. Certification tells these companies a site is development-ready and shows our communities are open for business and prepared to welcome new investment.”
The 490-acre Oskaloosa Innovation Park includes several parcels of land available for development. The site is located in southeast Iowa on Highway 23, has rail on-site and ready access to a four-lane highway and regional airport making it ideal for industrial, manufacturing, distribution or warehousing.
“Partnerships are key in accomplishing projects that will grow our community,” said Oskaloosa Mayor David Krutzfeldt. “The recognition of this site elevates Oskaloosa and Mahaska County’s state and national profile. We wholeheartedly commit to embracing new businesses and inviting them to become part of our thriving and remarkable community.”
IEDA launched the Iowa Certified Sites program in 2012 to address the lack of project-ready industrial sites in the state. It is an independent, third-party program with certification through the nationally recognized site selection firm Quest Site Solutions. The program, one of the nation’s most robust and effect certification programs, considers Iowa’s natural assets and the needs of the state’s targeted industry sectors of advanced manufacturing, biosciences and finance and insurance.
Site certification remains one of the fastest growing trends in the site selection business, and by introducing certified sites to the market, Iowa is better able to compete for projects. To date, Iowa has attracted more than $1.3 billion in capital investment because of these development-ready sites. Throughout the certification process, developers – working closely with local officials and utility partners – are better prepared to market their sites with specific site-related information and community data. The process also assures business prospects that site due diligence has been completed and mitigation and infrastructure plans are in place – meaning sites are relatively “risk-free.”
The next application round for certified sites will open in January. For more information on Iowa’s Certified Sites Program, visit iowaeda.com/locations.
For more information contact:
Iowa Economic Development Authority
Ms. Kanan Kappelman
communications@iowaeda.com
515.348.6248
