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The Valero Renewables ethanol plant was the first facility in Iowa’s Crossroads of Global Innovation, an ag industrial park west of Fort Dodge. It was joined by CJ Bio America and Cargill. Local leaders are trying to get more land certified there to attract more businesses.

Industrial park projects in Webster and Hamilton counties have received state grants to help pay for the process of getting the sites certified — an important step toward attracting businesses and jobs.

The Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance received $1,603.75 for the Iowa Crossroads of Global Innovation west of Fort Dodge.

Webster City received $37,500 for the Webster City Southeast Industrial Park.

The money is from the Iowa Rural Certified Site Initiative, a program managed by the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

The grants are for due diligence activities required for site certification. The grant money can pay for environmental assessments, geotechnical investigations and cultural resource surveys.

“Rural communities are thinking strategically about long-term growth,” Debi Durham, the director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, said in a written statement. “This support helps them take important strides toward welcoming new employers and creating opportunities close to home.”

Iowa’s Crossroads of Global Innovation is already home to Valero Renewables, CJ Bio America, and Cargill. Lygos Inc., a biorefinery company, announced plans in September 2024 to build a plant there.

The Growth Alliance is leading efforts to get site certification for property on the west side of the industrial park.

The Webster City Southeast Industrial Park originally consisted of 36 acres south of U.S. Highway 20. In February, the City Council voted to expand it to 600 acres, encompassing land on both sides of Iowa Highway 17, south of U.S. Highway 20. The grant money would be used to get that property certified.

Other Iowa communities that received funding were:

• Clarinda Economic Development Corporation, $29,875 — Hugh and Maxine Loudon Business Park (~70 acres), Clarinda

• Jackson County Economic Alliance, $27,050 — Highway 61 Industrial Park (~59 acres), Maquoketa

• Iowa Interstate Railroad, $37,500 — Newton Rail Park (~478 acres), Newton.