Monona County Economic Development Partnership for
Growth
Sara Struble
Executive Director
P.O. Box 135, 418 E. Iowa Ave
Onawa, Iowa 51040
Phone: 712-433-4493
Fax: 712-433-2725
Email: mcedp@longlines.com
Join us on:
 |
|
Welcome
to Monona County, Iowa |
|
|
Our Mission...
Monona County Economic Development Partnership for Growth will effectively advance a focused
economic development growth agenda to enhance, position and market Monona County as the
preferred business location in west central Iowa. Our agenda for growth will lead to the retention and
expansion of existing firms; the attraction and start-up of high-growth, high-value firms; and long-term
growth and vitality of the county. This will be accomplished in collaboration and cooperation with our public and private partners within the county, region and state. |
|
Projects |
|
|
|
|
|
MONONA COUNTY, IOWA
is great for business! We have the
statistics and data to show you how Monona County, Iowa compares to
other sites in key business and lifestyle factors. From census data
to educational resources, key advantages to business climate and
infrastructure, we have quantified and catalogued the information
you need. |
|
|
Business Climate
— Monona County, Iowa offers advantages that can grow revenues with its
business-friendly government policies. Local incentives include Monona County
Partners Community Foundation, The Kelly Grant, Utility discounts, Low Interest
Loans and Façade Grants. In addition, the Onawa Community Development Group and
Maple Valley Development, Inc. are established local economic groups ready to
assist when needed. |
|
|
Transportation — Monona County, Iowa is
ideally suited with air, rail and highway systems designed for commerce. Iowa's
central geographic location in North America makes it easier to move products
around the world. A major border-to-border interstate artery (Interstate 29)
runs along the western border of the county and is a principal road in America's transportation grid.
Barge freight is accommodated via the Missouri River running on the west side
of the county. Union Pacific Railroad, the largest railroad in North America,
covering 23 states across two-thirds of the United States, runs north-south
through the middle of the county. |
|
|
Workforce
— Monona County, Iowa ranks at the top with its highly-skilled, productive and
educated work force. The result is unsurpassed business productivity. The median
wage of the county is lower than the bordering counties making it a cost
effective decision to locate within the county. Our workforce appreciates the
quality of life our area has to offer and considers it an employment benefit to
be able to work locally. A happy workforce is a productive workforce. Recruitment – The local
businesses utilize
SmartCareerMove
[www.smartcareermove.com]. This interactive Web site includes a job bank of
professional/technical positions available within the county, a resume bank and
extensive information on working, living and playing in Iowa.
Labor Force Special Reports
|
|
|
Education
— It's a safe learning environment and we're keeping it that way! In 2008,
the schools in Monona County were among the first in western Iowa to
have a countywide lockdown during school hours of all doors and
installed state of the art security systems to ensure and maintain
the highest level of safety for our students. Quality public K-12 education is a reality in
Monona County, Iowa. Monona
County’s graduates consistently rank at the top. Monona County had graduation
rates of 91.80 in 2006 compared to 90.78% for the state of Iowa and 68% for the
nation. Monona County is located 30 minutes south of one community and two
private colleges and just 45 minutes north of another community college. A
community college learning center is located within the county. Another educational resource for Iowans is the
Iowa Communications Network (ICN) [www.icn.state.ia.us],
a state-of-the-art fiber-optic communications network that connects all 99 Iowa
counties. The ICN carries over 120,000 interactive, real-time hours of classes,
courses and one-time events annually. |
|
|
Quality
of Place
— Monona County, Iowans benefit from short commutes, natural social networks,
safe neighborhoods, friendly-family oriented communities, convenient medical
facilities, affordable housing, and easy access to a wide variety of
recreational opportunities. Our three school systems consistently contribute to
the high marks for Iowa schools in the annual surveys taken to determine the
best places in America to live.
Low-Cost Housing
– Median cost is $644 for a monthly mortgage, which ranks as the 30th
least expensive county in Iowa to buy a house.
Recreational opportunities include
Preparation Canyon State Park, an excellent place for a picnic or
family cookout. Picnickers can enjoy themselves, while also enjoying
views of the dramatic ridges and unique Loess Hills. Nine hike-in
camp sites, each with table and fireplace, are provided in the
eastern half of the park. Several trails wind their way through the
rugged Loess Hills, and along the many streams and springs found in
the area. These trails will also take you to the hike-in camping
sites. A nature study area is located in the eastern area of the
park.
The 344 acre Preparation Canyon State Park
is a remote and lovely area still relatively untouched by humans.
The park is located in Iowa's unique Loess Hills and is surrounded
by dramatic ridges on the north, south and west. It provides a
beautiful backdrop for hikers and family picnics. In order to help
protect the canyon's natural seclusion and the remaining evidence of
its dramatic past, camping is restricted to hike-in camping only at
the designated sites. Preparation Canyon State Park lies at the very
north end of Loess Hills Pioneer State Forest.
Monona County has approximately 9 wildlife
parks, 6 public lakes and 11 rivers or streams. The county has one
of the last remaining county fairs in the region where admission is
free to the public. In the heart of the county, you’ll find the
Moorhead Cultural Center offering artistic displays for viewing and
for sale. Casino Omaha, located west of Onawa, offers gambling and
entertainment. They are planning for an addition which will double
its existing gaming operation as well as adding a hotel, water park,
golf course and race track. Monona County is also home to the
Timber Ridge Ranch &
Winery complete with recreational camping and Motocross sport trails
and competitions. Two of the nine communities have a golf
course, swimming pool and several city parks.
Businesses and families can feel safe in
Monona County. According to the Iowa Crime Statistics from the
FBI's 2006 Uniform Crime Report, Monona County was reported to have
had zero violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Healthcare needs
are exceedingly met with our local hospital, four health and
wellness clinics and three full-service nursing homes.
These are all BIG reasons to
relocate to our SMALL towns.
|
|
|
|
|
