BUSINESS

FOREST CITY — Winnebago County supervisors are continuing work on possible new zoning rules covering solar projects, data centers and other large developments while also appointing a new county EMS coordinator and approving nearly $30,000 in claims.

MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County supervisors removed two items tied to a massive proposed solar project from Monday’s agenda before approving more than $377,000 in county claims and several payroll changes.

NORTHWOOD — Worth County supervisors advanced several major capital projects on October 5, approving more construction spending, moving ahead with roughly $6 million in proposed general obligation borrowing and formally expanding the county’s urban renewal area to support a new administration building and RV park.

DES MOINES — Iowa has rewritten a major economic-development incentive program to accommodate the proposed $15 billion Mesabi Metallics steel complex, with Gov. Kim Reynolds signing House File 2801 after lawmakers approved the measure during a one-day special session Friday.

The new law allows the Iowa Economic Development Authority to offer a single qualifying business in a rural county an investment tax credit worth up to 10% of its qualifying investment, spread evenly over 10 years. The previous MEGA structure allowed incentives of up to 5% for each of two eligible businesses.

The change was crafted with the massive Mesabi Metallics project in mind. State officials say the proposed Iowa complex would represent a $15 billion investment and the largest steel-manufacturing investment in U.S. history.

NORTHWOOD — Worth County supervisors have moved another major step toward financing a new county administration building, setting an October public hearing on a proposal to borrow up to $6 million while also approving more than $246,000 in county claims and filling the county recorder’s office ahead of the November election.

MASON CITY — A Chicago-based solar developer is asking Cerro Gordo County for permission to cross and use portions of several county drainage districts as it advances plans for a massive utility-scale solar project capable of generating up to 500 megawatts.

River City Energy, LLC, a Delaware-organized company with its principal office in Chicago, is seeking right-of-way easements involving Drainage Districts 19, 21, 45 and 71.

The application says underground electrical infrastructure tied to the project could cross drainage rights-of-way through excavation, directional boring or trenching.

FOREST CITY — Winnebago County leaders are considering changes to county zoning rules aimed at some of the biggest and fastest-growing development issues facing rural Iowa, including data centers, large solar developments, battery fields and cryptocurrency operations.

Supervisor Terry Durby raised the issue during the September 22 meeting of the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors, discussing possible changes to the county’s zoning ordinance to specifically address solar, battery fields, crypto operations and data centers.

MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County supervisors approved more than $565,000 in county claims Monday while also reviewing a manure management plan involving a local farm and receiving an update on county road and engineering matters.

CHARLES CITY — Floyd County supervisors backed an effort by the sheriff’s office to obtain new ballistic protection for deputies while also approving bridge-related work, reviewing county finances and handling the official canvass of a Charles City school election during meetings September 22.

MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County supervisors unanimously closed a portion of Swallow Avenue and approved $601,925.98 in county claims during an 11-minute meeting Monday, September 21. Chairman Casey Callanan, Vice Chairman

CHARLES CITY — Floyd County supervisors are giving themselves more time to write rules for large battery energy storage projects while county road crews push ahead with fall work and officials continue exploring a new Secondary Roads facility in Nora Springs.

NORTHWOOD — Worth County’s proposed administration building moved closer to bidding at the Board of Supervisors’ September 21 meeting. A week earlier, supervisors approved wetland work, a drainage repair claim and a request to join a regional juvenile detention center.

DES MOINES — A new swimming pool planned for the small town of Jewell will receive $675,000 in state assistance, giving the Hamilton County community a substantial boost toward a $2.59 million recreation project.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board approved the Community Attraction and Tourism grant September 18 as part of a statewide package supporting manufacturing expansions, startup businesses and public recreation facilities.

MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County supervisors approved $370,285.53 in county claims, accepted an annual transportation report and forwarded a manure management plan update to state officials during a 14-minute meeting Monday, September 14.