Jasper County: Strategically Located and Growing

Baxter is conveniently located near Des Moines, Ames, and Marshalltown. This creates the perfect opportunity for small town living with a quick commute for work. While many residents do commute to larger cities, businesses moving to Baxter will find that many would prefer to work near home. Baxter has a strong K-12 school system, along with the Baxter Early Learning Center daycare.  Amenities Baxter is an ideal spot for those who love the outdoors. Located at the head of the Chichaqua Valley Trail, it’s easy for residents to ride a bike, take a stroll, and enjoy the scenery. Residents also enjoy the Baxter Children’s Park, Sports Complex Playground, School Playground and Geise Park, in addition to the FREE fitness center. Businesses  Baxter is open for business! The community is growing and actively recruiting new businesses through the Baxter Economic Development Corporation (BEDCO). BEDCO...Learn More »

  People visit Colfax to see its historic downtown (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) and for the Jasper County Fair. The Colfax, Iowa Main Street program helps local entrepreneurs benefit from tourism, while also strengthening the community. Colfax Main Street has encouraged over $3-million of private investment into their downtown business district, where there is “Old time charm in a modern world.” Families who live in Colfax benefit from sending their children to the Colfax-Mingo Community School District. The district is in the process of expanding to create additional facilities for athletics and academics.  Click here to learn more about the City of Colfax.      ...Learn More »

Jasper County’s strategic location near Des Moines and Iowa City, gives businesses and residents the opportunity to enjoy living in a small town or rural environment, while being close enough to the city to enjoy work and business opportunities. Located 35 miles east of Des Moines, it is the 17th most populous county of Iowa’s 99 counties (2020 census). The county seat is Newton - a bustling community where businesses are growing and investments are being made into quality of life projects. For example, a softball complex with indoor fields is proposed for Newton. This $32-million, 16-field tournament softball complex would host people from across the state and be located north of Iowa Speedway.  Education  There are five public school districts and two private schools entirely located in Jasper County (along with six districts that serve parts of the county), each providing a high quality K-12 education. ...Learn More »

One of Kellogg's most notable features is the five-building Kellogg Museum complex. Its main building is the former Simpson Hotel, constructed in 1909. The museum complex also boasts an original one-room schoolhouse and a country church.      Kellogg is home to Rock Creek State Park and campground, a beautiful place to spend the day or the weekend....Learn More »

Historic Lynnville, Iowa is located on the winding North Skunk River, 8 miles south of Interstate-80 Exit 179, about an hour east of Des Moines and an hour west of Iowa City. This charming small town is home to friends and neighbors committed to making the community an incredible place to live. The Diamond Trail Children’s Center & Preschool and the Lynnville-Sully Community School District provide education opportunities in academics, arts, athletics, and more for area youth. In addition, Lynnville has plenty of outdoor activities to keep the family busy, including the Diamond Trail Golf Club, canoe access to the North Skunk River, Big Springs Shooting Complex, and a number of summer community festivals and events.  For more information on Lynnville, click here....Learn More »

Mingo, Iowa puts a priority on quality of life. Residents enjoy outdoor activities like hunting and fishing, spending time at local parks, playing softball, or walking and riding on the Chichaqua Valley Trail. Mingo Economic Development Corporation The Mingo Economic Development Corporation meets on the 2nd Monday of each month to discuss initiatives and plans to aid in furthering the economic success of the community. Click here for meeting times and location.  Learn more about Mingo here....Learn More »

Located 30 miles southeast of Des Moines, Monroe is close enough to the state capital to allow for community and access to entertainment, yet far enough away to offer the life style of small town living where neighbors greet each other by name. It is intersected by Highways 163 and 14, with Interstate 80 just 12 miles north of the city. Learn more about Monroe here....Learn More »

Whether you’re raising a family, starting a business or building a home, Newton has many great amenities — excellent schools, unique entertainment, beautiful art displays, and parks. Established in 1846 and incorporated as a city in 1857, Newton is the county seat of Jasper County and the largest city in the county. Newton focuses on providing a safe community with a high quality of life, engaged residents, and a strong business community. Located 30 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, Newton provides a convenient location for those who want the charm of small town living and the employment and entertainment options of a metro area.  Learn more about Newton here....Learn More »

Surrounded by Iowa’s tallgrass prairie and located near the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, Prairie City is a peaceful community filled with people who are warm, welcoming, and proud to call this place home. Within Prairie City’s 1.2 square miles, the city’s Public Works and Parks and Recreation Department operate and maintain four public parks plus numerous ball diamonds and courts, including two regulation tennis courts that are lighted for nighttime use. Conveniently located on Iowa Highway 163 and positioned closely to Interstate 80, Prairie City is just 20 miles from the bustle of larger communities including Des Moines Newton, Knoxville, and Pella. Economic Development Prairie City offers a variety of financial tools to support local businesses such as a Downtown Revitalization Incentive Program, Voluntary Demolition Program, Tax Abatement and Exemption, and Tax Increment Financing. Click here to learn more about these programs. Learn more about Prairie...Learn More »

Nestled in the heart of East Central Iowa, Sully is located within 25 minutes of Grinnell, Pella, and Newton and within an hour’s driving distance to Des Moines and Iowa City. The same pride demonstrated in the quality of work found in the local businesses is evident in the level of education provided for students at Sully’s two top-notch schools. The Lynnville-Sully Community School District offers excellence in public education for students in kindergarten through the twelfth grade. Sully Christian School provides high-quality, private Christian education for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Inspirations Childcare and Preschool Center and Diamond Trail Children’s Center are also available. For Businesses  Businesses benefit from Sully’s location, strong workforce, and access to resources like the Sully Revolving Loan Fund program.  For more information on Sully, click here....Learn More »