MORE JOBS, MORE INVESTMENT

North Central Iowa sees a resurgence of activity.

APRIL 2008
Alliance Partners return from NA 2008 Material Handling show.
Karen Mitchell and Angela Determan recently returned from an international material handlers show in Cleveland, Ohio. The Alliance, in partnership with The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance and InBound Logistics, hosted a luncheon and met with industry consultants in an effort to market the Avenue of the Saints transportation corridor.

MARCH 2008
New Travel Center announced for Dows.
The Dows Property Group announced plans to construct a $3.5 million destination travel center to be located across the street from the Iowa Visitors Center on I-35 near Dows, Iowa. The project — to be named The Dows Junction — is expected to create 40 to 45 part-time positions and five full-time jobs.

JANUARY 2008
I.C. System to Add 20 Employees to Mason City Office.
I.C. System, a leader in the accounts receivable management industry, announced that its Mason City, Iowa, collection office will be hiring 20 employees in the next couple months. The office hired 25 employees during the fourth quarter of 2007.

$29 Million Dollar Expansion at Charles City Ethanol Plant.
VeraSun is proposing to invest $29 million at its Charles City ethanol plant to accommodate a new process to extract corn oil from its distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). The expansion is expected to create 14 jobs.  

DECEMBER 2007
Alliant Energy to Develop 200 Megawatt Wind Farm in Franklin County.
Alliant Energy Corp. subsidiary Interstate Power and Light Co. announced it has bought land located in Franklin County for a potential $400 million dollar wind farm investment. The wind farm project is expected to create 30 jobs.

$24 Million Dollar Expansion in Charles City
Fort Dodge Animal Health (FDAH) is working on a $24 million expansion of Charles City facilities. Laboratory space, process controllers, analytical and production equipment will be added to increase capacity and provide an alternate manufacturing site for animal health biologics exported overseas. FDAH expects to create a total of 44 jobs.

NOVEMBER 2007
Northern Pipe Announces Third Expansion in Hampton, Adding 10 Jobs.
Officials at Northern Pipe Products announced expansion plans to produce large-diameter PVC pipe at the company's plant in Hampton, Iowa. When completed in the fall of 2008, the expansion will increase Northern Pipe's production capacity by more than 25 percent and will add 10 jobs.

OCTOBER 2007
ESI Holdings/ Primera Foods Announces $11 Million Dollar Project Near Britt.
ESI Holdings/ The Primera Foods plans to take over the 86,000 square foot former ConAgra building and create 40 to 50 new jobs.

SEPTEMBER 2007
Martin-Brower Company Selects Mason City for New Operation.
The Rosemont Illinois-based food distributor announced it has chosen Mason City for its expansion of warehouse and distribution operations. This expansion is expected to create 70 new jobs. The operation will include a 45,000 square foot facility.

JULY 2007
NFI Iowa Announces Plans to Construct a Facility in Osage.
NFI Iowa announces plans to construct a manufacturing facility in the Mitchell County community of Osage. NFI Iowa is a partnership between nutr-e FOOD INNOVATION, Collierville, TN and Northern Iowa Grain Processing, Riceville, IA. The Osage facility will process oilseeds and grains for the health food and cosmetic industries and is expected to create eight jobs.

JUNE, 2007
KAG Ethanol Logistics Announces Strategic Partnership for Ethanol Distribution.
The Kenan Advantage Group announced that it has joined efforts with LB Transport and Iowa Northern Railway Company, entering into an investment alliance with Manly Terminal, LLC, of Manly, Iowa, to streamline the nation's already constrained ethanol marketing and distribution process.  

Christensen Farms Considers New Regional Office - 30 Jobs Added.
The regional office and feed mill project planned for Thompson, Iowa is expected to create 30 new jobs, as well as provide a new work environment for existing field employees and those who will relocate from other offices.