Railyard expansion plan could further job creation efforts in Newton
Newton's latest initiative to boost job opportunities and economic growth could take a significant step forward this summer with plans for a major expansion to the city’s rail yard.
The key property acquisition necessary for the project is set for July 1. The proposed expansion will add roughly 400 acres to the rail yard operation on North 39th Avenue, bringing anticipated benefits including increased tax revenues and new jobs. According to Frank Liebl, executive director of the Newton Development Corporation, millions of dollars have already been invested in the early stages of the project through collaborations among the city, Jasper County, Iowa Interstate Railroad, and Alliant Energy.
"This is probably one of the biggest projects that Newton has ever seen, certainly post-Maytag," Liebl said. "This will result in thousands of dollars in new tax revenue, and hundreds of jobs will be created."
While Alliant Energy has not released many details at this stage, the company expressed pride in supporting the Newton community and indicated more updates will follow:
"Providing strong infrastructure and facilitating economic development opportunities is just one way Alliant Energy serves customers and builds stronger communities. We are proud to serve the community of Newton and more information will be forthcoming."
Liebl highlighted the ripple effect the expansion could have on the city, extending opportunities beyond the project's prospective property line.
“By expanding this operation, even more opportunities could look to Newton,” Liebl said.
Newton has been striving to reinvent its economy since the departure of longtime employer Maytag nearly 20 years ago and the closing of another major manufacturer, TPI Composites, in 2020. Liebl noted the challenges of Newton’s history as a single-industry town but emphasized the progress made to attract diverse industries.
"For 100 years, we were basically a one-industry town,” Liebl explained. “But we’ve been very lucky, over the course of time, to be able to attract some different industries into the community.”
With access to nearby I-80 and the additional infrastructure improvements the railyard expansion represents, Liebl believes Newton is positioned to keep various industries fueling it's economic base and job market.
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