Dave Martin, MEDCO Chair

The Importance of Pursuing a Shovel Ready Program

 (Marion, IA) The Marion Economic Development Company recently hosted a forum on establishing a Shovel-Ready program in Marion.  Guest presenter Joe Raso, President of Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) said that, "The concept of economic development and competition has changed drastically over the course of the past few decades. No longer is our biggest competitor in the next county or even the next state.  Companies and communities are competing on a world-wide basis for jobs and business expansion. And companies are mainly expanding in cities where fully developed ground is available for immediate construction.  In order to maintain a competitive advantage in today's business climate, companies and communities must be in a position to quickly respond to a changing environment. The creation of certified, Shovel-Ready development ground will better enable our communities and businesses to respond and grow."

READ: What qualifies a site as shovel ready?

Corridor Shovel Ready Website

Marion Economic Development Company (MEDCO) Chair Dave Martin explained that under the leadership of Joe Raso, MEDCO has joined with ICAD, utilities and other economic development partners to create Shovel-Ready criteria. Once created, an independent 3^rd party would use the criteria to certify property as Shovel-Ready. These criteria can be used to certify all applicable development ground in Marion, Iowa City, Coralville and other communities that form the partnership.

What is a Shovel-Ready site? There are three basic parameters of land being designated as Shovel-Ready. First, the site is available in that property owners are ready to sell at agreed upon terms.  Next the site is fully served by roads, water, sewer, electric, natural gas and the internet. An acceptable alternative is to for utility companies to submit letters of commitment to install utilities as projects moves forward. Finally, the Site is Developable. A Shovel-Ready site should have completed all necessary due diligence...environmental assessments, wetlands delineations, etc. Ideally, any necessary mitigation would also be completed.  In short, Shovel-Ready means that construction can begin on the site in a matter of several weeks or less.

Why is a Shovel-Ready site important? According to officials from the Iowa Department of Economic Development, over 80% of expanding businesses want to purchase/lease existing buildings or they seek ground upon which construction can quickly begin. Today's business climate largely dictates that major decisions, like plant expansions, are quickly set in place. Companies are not willing to wait a year or more for a community to develop an appropriate site and determine its suitability for development. You greatly diminish your chance of attracting new businesses and keeping existing businesses if you don't have shovel-ready sites. Communities must have developed ground in place and ready for construction.

MEDCO Chair Dave Martin emphasized that, "The Board of Directors of the Marion Economic Development Company (MEDCO) have made a commitment to facilitate an environment to encourage growth in the City of Marion.  We are positioning Marion to be successful. Economic expansion will most likely take place in those communities that provide a welcoming environment.  Adopting a Shovel-Ready program will help existing businesses expand and will attract new businesses to Marion."