The Jasper County Board of Supervisors will hold the first of two scheduled public hearings at 9 a.m. Monday, for a proposed 400-acre industrial park on the northeast edge of Newton. Jasper County and the City of Newton are working together to develop what they are calling Jasper Rail Park. Executive Director of Jasper County Economic Development Corporation Jeff Davidson says 249 acres needs to be purchased to go along with land the Iowa Interstate Railroad owns to form the industrial park. The railroad and Alliant Energy are private partners in this project, and Davison says they will contribute financially to the development of the site just southeast of the TPI wind blade plant.

“Our private sector partners are doing this because they believe they can invest money and make money. That adds a whole new level of legitimacy to it that we feel is a real opportunity for us, that they are willing to make that kind of investment.”

After Monday’s 9 a.m. public hearing in the Board of Supervisors Room at the Jasper County Courthouse, there will be a second public hearing in the boardroom at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22nd.