New Iowa City industrial park gains 'shovel-ready' certification

A 173-acre area of land on the east side of Iowa City has received "shovel-ready" certification that is is expected to make it more attractive to developers with tight project timetables.

Iowa City Area Development said the land in Iowa City's Wind Energy Supply Chain Campus is the third to be designated under the Certified Shovel Ready Iowa program. A certification letter was presented to Iowa City Mayor Matt Hayek by Jonathan Gemmen of Austin Consulting, the third-party certification party.

Iowa City Area Development Group has been working with Austin Consulting for several years to obtain the certification, ICAD Group Interim President Mark Nolte said.

"Since announcing its application, we have seen more interest in the park from manufacturing companies in wind energy and other industries. We look forward to sharing this official announcement with these potential projects.”

“Shovel Ready Iowa” was created by ICAD Group as an independent, third-party certification program designed to reduce risk for local communities and property owners as well as companies researching Iowa's Creative Corridor for business location or expansion. The goal of the program is to create an inventory of available sites that are fully-served and ready for immediate development.

The program is available in Linn, Johnson, Jones, Benton, Iowa, Cedar and Washington counties. Property can be certified in one of five categories.

Nolte said the ICAD Group and Austin Consulting are continuign to work with developers, property owners, cities and utility partners to identify new properties for certification.

“Austin Consulting is currently reviewing potential applications for property in Marion, Cedar Rapids, Coralville and North Liberty.”

The Tipton Business Park and three sites at the University of Iowa Research Park were the first to receive “shovel-ready” status.

Iowa City's Wind Industry Supply Chain Campus is certified in the manufacturing category. Factors considered in the certificaton process included highway, air service and rail service access, along with workforce training availability.