Certified & Shovel Ready 10.29.08
Sioux City Site Certified & Shovel Ready
Sioux City, IA – CH2M HILL, a global leader in assisting companies in locating expansion projects, recently announced the certification of the Bridgeport West Industrial Park in Sioux City. The announcement was made following the firm’s comprehensive study of Bridgeport West. The site, located north of Sioux Gateway Airport, provides an ideal location for industry with direct access to rail, new roads, utility infrastructure and close proximity to I-29 and the Big Soo Missour River Barge Terminal.
The certification program requires that land being developed as a potential location for industry expansion go through a rigorous checklist to ensure that the site has all the necessary infrastructure, zoning, environmental clearances, and other characteristics needed for fast, large-scale development. Community stakeholders were required to pull together resources, prepare for and host a site visit by CH2M HILL, and answer extensive questions as to the specifics of the site. Certification allows local economic developers to market the sites as shovel ready, which companies and consultants find valuable when considering possible sites for new industry.
Site certification is the basis for marketing an inventory of “certified” properties that meet a certain set of pre-determined criteria in order to decrease development time and risk to an expanding company because more is known in advance about the property under consideration.
The 250-acre Bridgeport West Industrial Park in Sioux City, Iowa is a joint venture between the City of Sioux City and the Siouxland Chamber Foundation. William Hearn, Senior Technologist for CH2M HILL and the person responsible for the certification of the sites congratulated the community for the accomplishment and stated that CH2M HILL firmly believes that both sites are worthy of the certified designation. Hearn also stated that the time, talents and resources allocated for the sites’ preparation for certification was an investment well spent. “This site represents an outstanding development opportunity based on its size, location and intermodal capabilities,” stated Hearn.
The development of larger scale industrial tracts is a key part of Sioux City’s long term economic development strategy and the City’s new Strategic Plan. Sioux City Economic Development Director Marty Dougherty said, “We are pleased Bridgeport West was chosen to receive this recognition. It is an excellent location ready for new industrial expansion.” The City is working to develop key areas for new industrial development including Bridgeport West, Southbridge and other areas.