Mahaska County Considers New Economic Development Strategy

In a recent work session, the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors discussed a potential new approach to stimulate economic development and community growth within the county’s smaller cities. The session focused on exploring options for hiring a part-time economic development specialist, with Shea Greiner presenting her ideas and qualifications for the role.

Addressing Community Needs

Shea Greiner, currently working in economic development for the city of Ottumwa, highlighted her experience in business recruitment, retention, and various community improvement projects. She emphasized the importance of identifying specific needs within the smaller communities of Mahaska County, such as Fremont and Leighton, and tailoring development efforts accordingly.

“We want to extend the fantastic things happening in Mahaska County and Oskaloosa to the smaller communities,” Green stated. “It’s about setting attainable goals, whether it’s city art projects, housing initiatives, or retail partnerships.”

Community Challenges

Representatives from Fremont and Leighton voiced their primary concerns, focusing on the need for housing and retail development. Fremont, in particular, struggles with landowners unwilling to sell properties necessary for expansion. Additionally, many of the town’s buildings are in such disrepair that rehabilitation is no longer viable, making demolition and new construction a more practical solution.

Green suggested looking into various grants, such as the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Catalyst Grant, to fund rehabilitation projects. For communities like Fremont, where land acquisition is a significant hurdle, Green proposed the possibility of prison industry homes from the Homes for Iowa program. However, this option also faces challenges, including the availability of suitable land.

Economic Development Proposals

Greiner’s proposals for enhancing economic development in Mahaska County’s smaller communities include:

Community Art Projects: Initiatives to beautify and revitalize public spaces, drawing inspiration from successful projects in other small towns.
Housing Development: Utilizing grants and partnerships to create affordable housing options, including pre-built homes from the Homes for Iowa program.
Retail Recruitment: Attracting new businesses through partnerships with retail strategies and attending industry conventions.
Marketing and Promotion: Develop marketing materials to highlight each community’s unique attractions and opportunities, aiming to attract visitors and new residents.

Board of Supervisors’ Perspective

Mark Groenendyk, Chair of the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors, emphasized the board’s commitment to supporting all communities within the county. “If we’re going to hire an individual, they need to be open to helping everyone county-wide,” Groenendyk said. “Our main emphasis is working with the mayors to keep communication open and ensure we’re all on the same page.”

The board is exploring the feasibility of funding this part-time position, which would focus on smaller communities rather than Oskaloosa, given its already robust economic development efforts. The board hopes to gather more feedback from the mayors of these smaller towns before making a final decision.

Next Steps

The discussion highlighted the need for collaboration and clear communication between the county, smaller cities, and potential new hires like Shea Greiner. The board plans to continue these discussions in future meetings, to create a cohesive strategy that benefits all communities in Mahaska County.