August 4, 2022 – (Des Moines) Today, Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Director Debi Durham joined officials from MidAmerican Energy and Mills Economic Development Foundation to commemorate the certification of Mills Crossing through IEDA’s Certified Sites Program. This is the state’s second mega site to be certified and the first located in western Iowa.

“Having certified sites gives us a tremendous advantage in attracting new development opportunities,” said Debi Durham, executive director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority. “The mega site is uniquely suited to companies requiring substantial infrastructure, such as automotive manufacturers and other large-scale industries, making Iowa an attractive location for these larger projects.”

The Mills Crossing site, developed by MidAmerican Energy, is located on a BNSF Railway dual track main line and is minutes from I-29 and I-80 via four-lane U.S. Highway 34. The site has approximately 1,641 acres, including 1,338 contiguous, developable acres.  As a certified mega site, Mills Crossing offers prospective users a strategic advantage for rapid development, access to a population center of one million-plus people and a centralized location in the U.S. connected to markets and ports throughout the country.

“MidAmerican is a leader in renewable energy development and that’s a differentiator for global companies that have their own aggressive sustainability targets to reach,” Kathryn Kunert, MidAmerican’s vice president of economic integration and connections, said. “Having 88.5% of their electricity coming from renewable sources at no net cost instantly puts any business locating at Mills Crossing ahead of the game.”

Iowa launched the state’s Certified Sites Program in 2012 to address the lack of project-ready industrial sites in the state. It is an independent, third-party program with certification through the nationally recognized site selection firm Quest Site Solutions. Iowa’s rigorous certification process is designed to consider national site location standards, as well as Iowa’s natural assets and the needs of the state’s targeted industry sectors of advanced manufacturing, biosciences and finance and insurance.

Site certification remains one of the fastest growing trends in the site selection business, and by introducing certified sites to the market, Iowa is better able to compete for projects. To date, Iowa has attracted more than $1.3 billion in capital investment due to the availability of these development-ready sites. Certification is a time and cost-savings benefit for end users. It also assures business prospects that site due diligences have been completed and mitigation and infrastructure plans are in place – meaning sites are relatively “risk-free”.

The mega site category is only one of seven within the Iowa’s Certified Sites program. Sites must be comprised of at least 1,000 acres to qualify for “mega site” status. Mills Crossing: Your Green Advantage in American’s Heartland, will join 28 other certified sites located across Iowa, in addition to several sites that are currently working through the various phases of the program.

For more information on Iowa’s Certified Sites Program, visit iowaeda.com/locations.

Atlantic, Iowa — The Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) has a new face in the Community Development department. Ashley Hayes has joined the staff as a Community Development Specialist. She will work with SWIPCO communities to continue to improve the region through community and economic development activities and planning.

“I have been a resident of Southwest Iowa for most of my life and have a great appreciation for our communities and the people,” said Hayes. “SWIPCO is an excellent way to assist our area communities and to further help them continue to thrive in this region of rural Iowa.”

Hayes is a graduate of Atlantic High School and has a bachelors in psychology from Buena Vista University. She brings many years of experience in city government and economic promotion through her time on the city council in Atlantic and as the program coordinator at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Hayes

“SWIPCO Community Development Specialists are Jacks of all trades and must be able to link community needs with the resources that are out there,” said John McCurdy, Executive Director of SWIPCO. “Ashley’s varied experience, including in city government, bring valuable insight and skills to our organization as we work with our most important clients, the cities and counties of Southwest Iowa.”

Hayes lives in Atlantic with her son and remains active in various volunteer organizations in the community, including Atlantic Rising.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office, today (Thursday), said they were made aware on Tuesday (Aug. 2nd), of an incident of animal abuse, cruelty and killing, involving two dogs in the rural Cumberland area. The two dogs had been missing since July 27th, 2022 and were found dead near a bridge on 660th Street, close to Tucson Road. Their rear legs  had been bound and they were found to have been shot in the head.

A reward leading to the prosecution of the person or persons responsible is being offered by the family. It has grown from $1,000 to $5,840, as of this post (2:40-p.m., 8/4/22).

These dogs, “Bella” and “Pepper” were found dead. They are owned by the Lank family. (Photos provided by Levi Lank)

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has investigated and will continue to investigate any information that comes to our office pertaining to this incident. Please, if you have any information regarding the case, contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at 712-243-2206.