NEWTON, Iowa — Iowa Interstate Railroad and Jasper County, Iowa, on Wednesday announced the launch of the Newton Rail Park, a 367-acre industrial park to feature biofuel and manufacturing industries and offering rail-related logistics.
The public-private partnership between the railroad and county has invested $10 million in property acquisition and infrastructure planning, reports the Business Record of Des Moines, Iowa, with officials saying it will be the state’s only industrial park with a full-service rail terminal. It will be the largest economic development in Jasper County in more than 75 years, Brandon Talsma, chair of the county board of supervisors, said at Wednesday’s launch announcement at the Jasper County Courthouse.
The county and railroad acquired 294 acres of farmland and utilized existing Iowa Interstate property to establish the rail park.
“This public-private partnership reflects a common vision: to bring high-quality jobs, infrastructure, and new opportunities to central Iowa,” Iowa Interstate CEO Joe Parkson said in a county press release. “As we continue growing our rail network, we’re equally committed to supporting Newton’s long-term success.” Talsma said in the release that the partners have “created a unique opportunity for economic development, benefiting both Jasper County and central Iowa.”
The rail park includes Iowa Interstate’s Renewable Energy Distribution Center, a $9 million transload facility that began construction last year.
Newton, population 15,760 as of the 2020 census, is 30 miles east of Des Moines.
