The Iowa Department of Transportation has awarded a large grant to Mills County for a proposed business corridor near Interstate 29.  The county received an $876,510 grant to help pave a 1¼-mile stretch of 190th Street from Kane Avenue south, to Highway 34. Local officials says the road, which is currently gravel is central to a proposed 5,600-acre business complex predominantly on the west side of I-29.  Included in the pavement project are plans to elevate 190th Street to address flooding concerns.,  

The Metropolitan Area Planning Agency teamed with the county and JEO Consulting, a Wahoo, Neb.-based engineering firm, to apply for the grant. JEO’s project manager says the paving project will cost about $1.2 million.  The engineering firm developed a 30-year master plan for the business corridor, which now includes the Mid-America Motorplex and farm implement company A&M Green Power.

Officials says the corridor is prime for business,  thanks to the $140 million Highway 34 Bridge project that will extend the highway from the I-29 Glenwood exit to U.S. Highway 75 in Nebraska. A portion of Highway 34 currently on the west side of I-29 will become a county road. Rick Allely, business development manager for JEO, said the corridor would attract warehouses, manufacturing businesses and commercial projects, including hotels, restaurants and office parks.