The Marion County Board of Supervisors met in special session Wednesday. The meeting coincided with the Marion County Development Office City and County Local Government Quarterly meeting. Attendees heard a presentation by the Governor’s office of the state Empower Rural Iowa initiative. Efforts are focused on community housing assessments, rural leadership, and facilitating broadband access. A proposed wind energy ordinance was presented by Melissa Poffenbarger with planning and zoning. Given suggested offsets for communities, rural structures, and waterways, as well as lower wind speeds, it was shared that there would be limited opportunities for wind turbine placement in the county. Selected areas where wind turbines could be sited include locations north of Pella, south of Pleasantville, and south of Knoxville to the county line.

County Engineer Tyler Christian presented a number of transportation proposals that may be undertaken over the next 40 years. Among the projects identified were increasing the efficiency of the route between Knoxville and Pella and the condition of bridges between Knoxville and Monroe on Highway 14. Also presented was a consideration of a route from Pella to Interstate 80, and continuation of that route south of Pella to Highway 92.

Carla Eysink with the Development office shared that manufacturing jobs increased 6.3% from 2013-2018, while county population grew only 1.2%, among other information. A potential county wide strategic plan for economic development was discussed, which would require county and city collaboration. The need for housing in the county was presented, and Harvey Mayor Dennis Seibert shared that 10 homes have recently been built or are under construction in Harvey. The board heard a presentation by Homes for Iowa, which uses inmate labor to construct homes that are transported to lots across the state. The program trains inmates to fill much needed construction jobs in the state, and reduces recidivism. The meeting concluded with Eysink offering an update on recent Office of Development activities.