a case for liberty industrial park 

by Robert B. Marqusee, Director of Rural Economic Development, Woodbury County

 

Dear Landowners:


Over the past year, Woodbury County, the City of Sergeant Bluff, the City of Salix, and the City of Sioux City have been in negotiations to develop a framework to plan for cohesive regional growth that will benefit all our communities.  The idea for cooperative development was introduced over 5 years ago.


The specific benefits and objectives of this development, in order to attract quality jobs, can be listed:


  1. •Create a well thought out transportation plan that will:

  2. •Significantly reduce rail traffic through Sergeant Bluff

  3. •Provide support for existing businesses in southern end of Liberty and Southbridge

  4. •Eliminate bottlenecks, and create direct access, to I-29, for businesses that want to locate in those areas

  5. •Leverage resources of all our communities that will:

  6. •Make it easier to obtain the financial support from both the State of Iowa and the Federal Government

  7. •Assure well planned development that will eliminate waste of taxpayer money

  8. •Benefits and obligations that will be assigned in accordance with opportunities for all our citizens

  9. •Liberty is a development managed by the combination of County, Sergeant Bluff, Salix and the landowners.

  10. •The vision will be developed to create best returns for the landowners, businesses, and communities:

  11. •To make Liberty a unique offering in the world to businesses that fit the vision

  12. •To preserve and enhance quality of life for citizens in our communities

  13. •To maintain the culture of agriculture - it has significant value - both in the past and well into the future


Woodbury County delivered a letter to the Iowa Department of Transportation.  The end objective is to build a new interchange north of the Port Neal Interchange, while we are working to maintain the Port Neal Interchange long term.  We think we have a good shot at achieving that goal - that is, if we can all pull together with that common objective in mind.  Divided, we will end up”throwing the baby out with the bathwater”. 


Woodbury County, Sergeant Bluff, and Salix will be holding a Landowner Meeting on January 23, 2012.  At this meeting, we will present an overview of the project, timeline, and address the concerns of the landowners pertaining to the retention of the Port Neal Interchange long-term.  We noticed this meeting so “accurate information” could be disseminated to the public.  We hope that you can come with an open mind, pose legitimate concerns, and work together to achieve our mutually beneficial goals.


Rob Marqusee