CLINTON —
The Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority praised the Clinton railport as a ‘posterchild’ for development projects in the state during a recent visit to Clinton.
Debi Durham recently attended the Clinton Regional Development Corporation’s board meeting to discuss state economic development initiatives including the push to certify industrial sites across the state in order to make them more attractive to potential investors.
According to CRDC CEO and President Steven Ames, a certified site provides detailed information about a site, including price and availability, utilities, access, environmental concerns and potential development costs. Durham complimented Clinton’s Lincolnway Industrial Rail and Air Park (LIRAP), which has made it through two of the three steps required to be a certified site.
“Clinton’s railport project is considered to be the ‘posterchild’ in the state for development projects.
“Leaders in Des Moines are fully aware of the project and the status of certification brings it to the top of the list for economic development opportunities in Iowa,” she said. She then went on to say the railpark differentiates the region and the state and provides unparalleled logistic amenities.
More about the railport
The LIRAP provides the industry with direct access to the Union Pacific Railroad’s mainline connection Chicago with the western United States. It is also located within minutes of the Mississippi River. The area offers the ability to move freight by barge via three local, active terminals, as well as over the road via U.S. 30.
Advantages of Clinton:
• Access to $40 billion U.S. market within a 100-mile radius.
• Three Class I Railroads
• Rail to truck or barge transload capabilities.
• 500 plus acres of greenfield with potential of 1,000 acres or more.
• Unit train capacity.
• Abundant electric, gas and sewer capacity.
• Interstate highway access within 20 minutes.
