March 28, 2024

Economic development major focus for city

A major focus of the city in recent years has been economic development and growing the housing market, and efforts in those areas are continuing into the future.

Projects in the Newton Main Street program, at the former Maytag campus and at both exits off of Interstate 80 into the city among others are areas of focus for the 2017-2019 Action Plan.

Encourage economic
development

Five unique but equally substantial goals were established by city staff to address building economic development in the community. Those goals include create a strong and vibrant downtown, create retail growth and development at the Interstate interchanges and commercial corridors, increase local jobs by growing and recruiting businesses, improve Newton’s reputation and grow the number of new housing units.

“One can only measure its achievements by the goals that one sets, and we have done a fantastic job of that, all of us together,” mayor Mike Hansen said.

The city’s purpose is to build a strong economic base with high-quality jobs. This is to be accomplished by creating a dynamic downtown, attracting business growth around the Interstate interchanges, assisting local businesses with expansion, and growing the population and strengthening the community by attracting young families and retaining existing residents.

To create a strong and vibrant downtown the city will continue working with Newton Main Street including supporting the Downtown Micro Grant program. Plans to update the downtown street and streetscape appearance will also continue with cost estimates expected in the coming months.

The city also plans to work on increasing the number of housing units within downtown and explore high capacity Wi-Fi opportunities in the area.

An area the city has often referenced for potential growth are the Interstate interchanges and commercial corridors. Near the Interstate, the city will work to create a master plan for land surround the Iowa Speedway and at Exit 168. Also in the area the city is looking to potentially develop new businesses and hotels to promote tourism.

The city will also look to recruit a developer to bring construction on a mixed-used retail development in the 1200 and 1300 blocks along First Avenue East.

One way to help grow Newton is to increase local jobs by growing and recruiting businesses. New jobs can bring new residents and potential visitors to the community in turn increasing the tax base for potential new economic development.

To accomplish this goal the city will make efforts to qualify at least one site to be included in the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Certified Development Site program, facilitate connections between local employers and DMACC business resources and use regional and state programs to promote Newton’s workforce to recruit new employers and new employees.

An area that can be difficult to measure but important for the city’s future, improving Newton’s reputation has been a goal since the city felt the impact of its largest employer leaving. In recent years, the “Get to Know Newton” campaign has started the process of elevating the community’s presence in central Iowa and through work accomplished by the new community marketing manager a centralized communications strategy will be established between the city and other economic development partner agencies.

Finally, the city plans to continue its efforts to grow the number of new housing units through the established 2013 housing initiative. Also, in the coming years, the city plans to collaborate with Jasper County Economic Development Corporation and Hometown Price to conduct a Community Housing Assessment Team Study for Jasper County, including Newton.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com