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Pottawattamie County board approves resolution to pursue rural site‑readiness program
Summary
The board approved resolution No. 48 20 26 to use residual RPCIC funds to identify and certify rural industrial sites, with supervisors asking staff to clarify available funds and include housing considerations in planning.
The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors on July 6 approved resolution No. 48 20 26 to pursue a rural site‑readiness program aimed at identifying and certifying potential industrial sites in rural parts of the county.
The program was presented by Paula Hazelwood, identified in the meeting as chief executive officer of Southwest Iowa Corporation, who said the proposal would use remaining funding from the prior Rural Pottawatomie County Infrastructure Coalition (RPCIC) effort to issue an RFP for engineering services, identify five candidate sites and move forward with up to three based on engineering recommendations. "We would go down the path of putting out an RFP to hire an engineering firm to walk beside us in this journey," Hazelwood said.
The board discussed how much money remains from the earlier $3 million RPCIC commitment (a $1.5 million county contribution matched by $1.5 million from the Iowa West Foundation). Hazelwood said there is approximately $250,000 in the county account before deducting engineering costs and that Iowa West Foundation has signaled it may return held funds related to the Crescent project. A staff member noted a ledger balance of $283,597.29 before engineering deductions that would bring the balance close to $250,000.
Supervisors debated priorities for the residual funds. One supervisor urged directing money to municipal infrastructure for housing projects in towns including Neola, Carson and Underwood; Hazelwood and others urged a mixed approach that includes preparing sites for industrial development to expand the county's tax base. "I would hope that you would entertain at least consider a mixture," Hazelwood said, adding that an engineer can identify the "highest and best use" for candidate properties.
The resolution approved by the board directs staff to proceed with the rural readiness initiative while clarifying available funds and including housing as a consideration for the plan. Supervisor Jones moved the resolution and Supervisor Miller seconded; after a roll call the motion carried.
Hazelwood told the board she will work with the county attorney and the Iowa West Foundation on final language and a funding confirmation and will provide an updated disbursement spreadsheet to supervisors. The board indicated it preferred a short delay to allow staff to confirm the exact residual amounts and any constraints before finalizing program documents.
The board's action sends the rural readiness planning steps—RFP development, engineering certification and site selection—into a staff implementation phase, with follow‑up reporting to supervisors expected as funding and contractual terms are finalized.
