There is big economic news out of Clinton, where 3 businesses will bring 200 jobs to the area. 2 of the businesses are brand new companies, the third business already has a facility in Clinton, but is expanding.
The biggest projects will be built at the Lincolnway Industrial Rail and Air Park. Rail.One will make concrete rail ties and create 62 jobs. Nevada Railroad Materials recycles wooden rail ties and ships concrete ones. The company is bringing 30 jobs to Clinton. Data Dimensions is expanding to the Lyons Business and Technology Park. The company will double its staff by adding 130 jobs.
The Lincoln Way Industrial Rail and Air Park has been a work in progress for 17-years.
"If we were going to grow industrial jobs, we had to have a rail park," says Rich Phelan, CRDC Chair.
The rail park is ready for businesses to begin building. The first company to sign up is Rail.One out of Germany.
"They wanted to expand into the U.S. Market," adds Phelan.
Rail.One produces concrete railroad ties for high speed rail lines.
"It's really a part of the future," says CRDC Chair.
The second company to sign on is Nevada Railroad Materials. Their business goes hand in hand with Rail.One, because NVM recycles old wooden rail ties.
"The old rail ties will be brought into the facility and RNM will recycle those," adds Phelan, "Then the empty cars will be filled with the concrete ones and
sent out."
Both companies decided to build in Clinton for several reasons. According to Phelan, the city is centrally located, it's close the Mississippi River and the industrial park is along a rail line.
"The main Union Pacific rail line goes through the park," says Phelan.
Also in Clinton, the Lyons Business and Technology Park will grow. Data Dimensions expanding out its current facility into a larger one.
"We're out of space and land," says Mark Bush, Chair of Data Dimensions, "With business coming and the growing of the company it's just time to move into a much larger facility."
The new facility will double Data Dimension size and add 130 new employees over the next 3 years. The company, that has been in Clinton for 25-years, digitizes documents.
"We're in an interesting situation," adds Bush, "Where we're projecting over 50% growth just this year."
Data Dimensions will start construction at the end of April and they need to up and running ASAP. Rail.One will begin building in May and the company will be up and running by early 2014. Nevada Railroad Materials just signed on and there's no word on when construction will begin.
All 3 businesses are receiving tax incentives, but they are pending. The State of Iowa has already given preliminary approval. Clinton city council and the Clinton county board will vote on the rebates over the next few weeks.
