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Economic Development

Emmetsburg Business Park

Emmetsburg Community Development Corporation, City of Emmetsburg, and Emmetsburg Municipal Utilities have partnered to develop an Emmetsburg Business Park. 

If you are interested in locating in Emmetsburg’s business park, may contact Emmetsburg’s Community Developer at 712-852-2262 or
emmetsburgbusinesspark.com for more details.  Your business may be eligible for certain state and local programs or incentives when locating in the Emmetsburg Business Park. 

Emmetsburg Community Development Corporation (ECDC) has purchased 64 acres in the southeast part of Emmetsburg for development purposes (see map).  A Community Facilities Loans and Grants from USDA along with a guaranteed loan from Iowa Trust Bank provided the opportunity to purchase this ground. 

The City of Emmetsburg received $180,000 RISE grant and is providing matching funds for paving of a road to the new Business Park.  Emmetsburg Municipal Utilities is providing water, gas, and sewer to the new development.  The cooperation of these organizations will provide future growth opportunities for Emmetsburg for decades to come. 

The park is taking shape with the construction of a building and plantings to make the grounds “green.”  The detention basin has been developed.  With the help of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the natural hydrology of the land is being restored with seeding and plantings to enhance the natural drainage of the area.  The Business Park received the Friends of Conservation Award from the Palo Alto County Soil and Water Conservation District in 2008 for their work in this area.

Emmetsburg Business Park – Ground Breaking Ceremony

Emmetsburg’s Business Park had its official Ground Breaking Ceremony on April 30, 2008. Construction began immediately, providing underground utilities and a road to open the 58-acre Business Park. Various members from Emmetsburg City Council, EMU, Emmetsburg Industrial Development Board, Emmetsburg Community Development Corporation, USDA, and other guests were present at the ceremony.

This project has taken almost two years to develop, and it is exciting to see activity at the sight. USDA Rural Development provided a $485,000 loan and guaranteed a $200,000 loan from Iowa Trust & Savings Bank to purchase the land and provide engineer services. The Iowa Dept. of Transportation provided a RISE grant of almost $180,000 to help pay for the road to open the park. City Council Members and Emmetsburg Municipal Utilities Trustees also supported this project financially.

Emmetsburg Community Development Corporation was formed in September of 2006, and its main activity has been developing this park. The ECDC directors are: Kris Ausborn, Jill Aldous, John Bird, Ruth Brown, Dan Cooper, Steve Finer, Greg Hoyman, Kent Klootwyk, Tom Lee, and Val Newhouse.

Pictured: Paul Saxton- EMU Board of Trustees, Mayor John Schad, John Schmidt- Emmetsburg Industrial Development Board, City Councilman Steve Finer, Community Developer Steve Heldt, City Councilman Pat Degan, Rick Brennan- Iowa Trust & Savings Bank, Jill Kerber Aldous- Emmetsburg Community Development Corporation ( ECDC), Dave Rouse, Chuck Redding -General Contractor for the project, Randy Hildreth -USDA Rural Development, Tom Lee- ECDC, Kent Rode- Kuehl & Payer, Ruth Brown- ECDC, Jim Miller- Emmetsburg Industrial Board, and Iowa Senator Jack Kibbie.