Alliant Energy is building a mega industrial park to attract big business
CEDAR RAPIDS—A huge industrial park being developed by Alliant Energy is perfectly situated to entice major industries to come to Iowa, according to state, local and company officials. A pipeline for natural gas runs through the property, and the land connects to nearby railroad tracks, interstate highways and The Eastern Iowa Airport. Nearby infrastructure for water and sewer is already in place.
“We’re very excited about it. It’s a big step for the state of Iowa,” Scott Drzycimski, senior manager of community and economic development for Alliant Energy, told American Gas. “Cedar Rapids is an industrial-minded town, and from an infrastructure standpoint, it’s a great site for us.”
The Big Cedar Industrial Center, located in Iowa’s Creative Corridor, will be one of the largest rail-served manufacturing and industrial sites in the Midwest, according to Alliant Energy. It is also being touted as the state’s first certified mega industrial park.
Alliant Energy will supply the electric needs for the new industrial park, while MidAmerican Energy will provide the natural gas, Drzycimski said. The availability of natural gas is an important consideration for companies seeking a location, he said. Opportunities exist for combined heat and power.
Alliant has 1,300 acres under option, which is a large enough parcel to attract large-scale industry.
“This large-scale, rail-served industrial site will provide the state of Iowa with a significant advantage as we compete for additional economic investment and new jobs,” said Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
Drzycimski said the industrial park will help Alliant Energy increase its customer base.
“As a company in Iowa, there’s not a lot of natural growth,” he said. “We need to grow our load to keep costs down for our customers.”
He said there has already been some interest from companies looking for large tracts.
Alliant Energy is working with the city of Cedar Rapids, the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance to market the site for development nationally and internationally.
“The project brings together private and public investments to ensure Iowa is the national leader when it comes to connecting businesses to communities throughout the region,” Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a news release. “It will give the Iowa Economic Development Authority team an unprecedented tool to successfully recruit new companies, new development and new investment in our state.”