Success Stories

WAPELLO COUNTY WORKING TO SURPRISE YOU AN INDUSTRIOUS COUNTY OF OPPORTUNITY AND LAND Photo

WAPELLO COUNTY WORKING TO SURPRISE YOU AN INDUSTRIOUS COUNTY OF OPPORTUNITY AND LAND

Wapello County, founded in 1843 by several hundred settlers, still embodies an eager culture of development. Entrepreneurs, major corporations, and small businesses are able to produce within the county for local and global markets. This tradition began over 100 years ago with industrial products such as coal, cigars, and meat packing. Though much of the county's manufacturing is now ag-based with the production of tools, equipment, food and beverage, and food ingredients, the times are changing while the spirit remains the same. While Wapello County will always include agriculture in its manufacturing mix, the availability of land continues to fuel a spirit of development, and opportunity. Nationally prominent companies such as John Deer (1837), Keurig/Dr. Pepper Snapple Group (1885), JBS (1953), Plastipak (1967), and Frog Legs, Inc (1966) showcase Wapello County's ability to provide space for expansion, a stable workforce, and support for industrial development in a central location of the U.S.

LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION

The recent expansion of Plastipak, a company celebrating over 50 years of success, into the Ottumwa Industrial Park, is a prime example of available land meeting opportunity.  Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress worked with the Iowa Economic Development Authority for a generous incentive package for Plastipak allowing it to expand from warehousing only, to 4 lines of manufacturing and adding 45 jobs. Plastipak located a plant in the area near its ready-made customer Keurig/Dr. Pepper.  A typical trend in the plastics industry is the clustering of fabricators near customers,controlling shipping costs.  Updated roads, bridges, active railroad lines, and connections to state and national highways such as US 34, US 63, IA 149, and the Des Moines to Burlington Expressway make the area conducive for transportation of products.  The Ottumwa Regional Airport, complete with two runways, rental hangars, and full aviation services is another draw for companies seeking convenient travel. 

CERTIFIED SITE

Helgerson Flats, an 82-acre industrial site, has passed all due diligence including environmental, archeological, geotechnical, topographic, wetland, and species reports, earning it national certified accreditation.

UNWAVERING SPIRIT

The eagerness of Wapello County to institute accommodating and growth-supporting initiatives for manufacturing is far from surprising.  It harkens back to the industrious spirit of the area.  The perseverant, hard-working nature of the workforce is reflected by GOPIP as they help the current manufacturers in the county expand, as well as actively prospect for the community. Wapello County offers well-ordered space.

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101 W 4th St
Wapello County Courthouse
Ottumwa, IA 52501
US
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