Supervisors hear gloomy JEDCO report

Jul 14, 2010 — Newton Daily News

John Jennings

Jul. 14, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Jasper County has seen its economic well-being wane somewhat over the past year, but Jasper County Economic Development Corp. director Craig Hamilton sees reasons for some optimism.

"It has not been a real good year for us in terms of economic growth," Hamilton told the Board of Supervisors Tuesday during his annual JEDCO report. "With TPI downsizing significantly in May, we didn't move very far forward in adding new jobs."

Iowa Telecom's reduction in force has not yet been recorded in the unemployment statistics, but TPI's layoffs helped to increase Jasper County's unemployment rate from 7.1 percent in May 2009, to 8.2 percent in May 2010.

"That would have to be classified as one of 'one step back,'" Hamilton said in his report.

However, there have been some positive developments over the past year as well. Trinity Towers continued to grow their presence during the year. In addition, enXco, a wind energy company with headquarters in San Diego, has announced a 200-megawatt wind generation farm between Gilman and Newburg. Hamilton said the company is about 1 1?2 to 2 years away from construction.

Other developments noted by Hamilton include Prism Projections near Sully with a new product on the market, and construction of a new grain-transfer station on the former Iowa Interstate Railroad's intermodal property by the newly-merged Sully Cooperative Exchange and Heart of Iowa Cooperative.

JEDCO has recently announced that to better promote Jasper County, it has moved its membership from the Iowa Connections marketing group to the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Hamilton said Iowa Speedway is already a member of the Des Moines-based group, which could provide more natural economic ties.

Work also is under way on the 500,000 gallon water tower located near the biodiesel facility to provide enhanced fire protection. And, as TPI regains employees and the Key Cooperative becomes more active at the intermodal facility, Hamilton said he hoped to be able to persuade the Iowa Department of Transportation to pave a one-mile stretch of North 39th Avenue East to provide another entrance to that growing industrial area.

"So, I am optimistic about the future," Hamilton summarized. "While no one can forecast the next 12 months with any certainty, let's hope 2010-2011 is better than the year just concluded."

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