Newton Rail Park Receives State Economic Development Funding

Newton Rail Park has received funding from the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Iowa Rural Certified Site Initiative (IRCSI) competitive grant program. The Rail Park was one of the five recipients that received a total of $133,528 in matching funds.

The Newton Rail Park was awarded a $37,500 grant to assist with due diligence activities required for site certification — a key step in attracting new business investment and quality jobs. The funding reimburses costs for required reports and studies, such as environmental assessments, geotechnical investigations, and cultural resources surveys.

Created during the 2024 legislative session, the IRCSI provides matching grants of up to $37,500 to eligible applicants, including local governments, economic development organizations, and utility providers in counties with populations less than 50,000.

Certified sites are better positioned to attract prospects by meeting nationally recognized due diligence standards and demonstrating that essential infrastructure and land availability requirements have already been met.

In addition to the Newton Rail Park, the following grant applicants also received funding: 

• Clarinda Economic Development Corporation received $29,875 for the Hugh and Maxine Loudon Business Park, which is approximately 70 acres, located in Clarinda.
• Jackson County Economic Alliance received $27,050 for the 59-acre Highway 61 Industrial Park in Maquoketa
• The City of Webster City received $37,500 for the Webster City Southeast Industrial Park, which is approximately 773 acres, in Webster City
• The Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance (on behalf of Webster County) received a grant for $1,603.75 for Iowa’s Crossroads of Global Innovation, which is a 765-acre industrial area west of Fort Dodge.

Information about Iowa’s Certified Sites program and the IRCSI can be found on the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s website.