Progress. What a perfect word to describe the efforts in North Iowa over the past year.
While there have been many economic challenges impacting the national landscape, our communities have continued to forge ahead to make significant progress on many key priorities, while laying the foundation for exciting developments to come in the year ahead.
The North Iowa Corridor’s mission is to create economic growth and prosperity for Mason City, Clear Lake, and the greater Cerro Gordo County region. Its primary activities serve that purpose: business retention and recruitment, workforce development, and housing. In the past year our communities have facilitated numerous business expansions, developed new housing, and made major investments to provide the quality-of-life amenities that will serve our citizens and guests for decades to come.
Business expansion
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The year 2023 saw several significant business developments and announcements by new and existing North Iowa businesses. There was growth across most sectors, from manufacturing and warehousing to retail and hospitality. A few highlights:
- New Energy Freedom -- A $350 million cellulosic ethanol and renewable plastics research facility announced in partnership with Dow Chemical, expected to create more than 50 new jobs by 2027.
- Curries Manufacturing – A 10,000 square foot expansion of its manufacturing facility, bringing the addition of 50 or more new jobs.
- Stellar Manufacturing -- Purchased MD Products in Mason City and has grown operations from 10 employees to 65 with plans for further expansion and addition of 50 more employees.
- Sukup Manufacturing -- Purchased the former Serta facility in Clear Lake, adding 40 new jobs with continued growth expected.
- Warehouse Distribution Project -- A $15 million facility creating 25 new jobs in development at Mason City Industrial Park. An announcement and groundbreaking are expected this summer.
The Corridor also is actively engaged with several large renewable fuel and manufacturing projects. Our region’s infrastructure, quality of life, and proximity to major markets are highly desired, and it hopes to have more announcements in the year ahead. While the focus is on primary industries, communities also attracted significant retail expansion. A few highlights include: Old Navy, Ross, Five Below, Ulta Beauty, O’Reilly’s, Dollar General, Boulevard Restaurant, and Chik-fil-A will start construction this spring. This level of interest and development from national name brands is a great indicator of the strength of the local economy and builds on its role as a regional hub for retail and amenities.
Housing expansion
One of the biggest challenges facing communities across the nation is housing. Quality housing options are critical to attracting and retaining talent. It is projected that Iowa needs almost 25,000 units just to meet demand by 2030. The North Iowa Corridor Housing Development Corporation was created to take the lead on meeting the need by creating housing opportunities across the county. It will provide a vehicle for communities and businesses to meet housing needs and price points that are not financially feasible for the private sector.
The HDC’s first project is in partnership with the city of Mason City, with three houses being moved from the former Blackmore Nursery area to formerly vacant lots owned by the city. The homes are being renovated and will be offered for sale in the coming months, with the proceeds to be reinvested into future housing projects.
In addition to those efforts, the Corridor continues to actively work with numerous housing developers to build significant new apartments and single-family housing. Since 2020, over 400 new units and over $50 million of investment have been built or are in development in Mason City and Clear Lake, including:
- The River II Apartments -- Following the success of the original 133-unit facility, Talon Development began construction on phase 2, a 93-unit facility along Willow Creek in a former brownfield. The facility will open this spring.
- Emerald Edge Apartments -- New 98-unit apartment complex to begin construction in Clear Lake this spring.
- South Shore Estates -- Redevelopment of a former pasture in Clear Lake began last fall and will add 16 single-family homes and 16 twin-home units.
- Federal Avenue Rowhomes -- New 11-unit apartment facility filling a formerly vacant lot in downtown Mason City, opening this summer.
- Emerald Edge Estates -- New 32-unit twin home development in Clear Lake, breaking ground in the spring.
- Delaware Avene Apartments – New 36-unit apartment facility planned for downtown Mason City, breaking ground in the fall.
A vision for the future
Over the last year, the Corridor partnered with the cities of Mason City and Clear the Lake as well as Cerro Gordo County to develop the North Iowa Corridor Comprehensive Plan.
This strategic planning effort has included the input of over 1,000 community members throughout 2023 through surveys, community workshops and open houses, as well as focused committees. It is unique for three jurisdictions to partner in this way, but doing so helps to ensure that each is considering how their future development impacts the other. That is critical to developing in a complementary way to best meet the needs of the citizens and businesses of North Iowa.
The plan defines key partner roles to more effectively and efficiently use community resources to achieve desired outcomes. The latest drafts of the plan can be viewed at rdgusa.mysocialpinpoint.com/north-iowa-corridor-plan. Each city and the county are reviewing the plan and accepting input prior to consideration for approval by each jurisdiction in April/May.
As we reflect on the past year and look forward to the next, The Corridor celebrates the remarkable progress our communities have made through collaboration and innovation. For most years in most communities, any of these achievements would be a phenomenal accomplishment. We are proud of the strong leadership our communities have shown in bringing the vision of these projects to fruition and are excited for the promise of exciting developments to come.