MAQUOKETA, Iowa — A pair of manufacturing businesses are planning significant developments at the Highway 61 Industrial Park.
Maquoketa City Council members on Monday approved the sale of at least 18 acres within the city’s industrial park to two commercial buyers. The combined sale price of that acreage totaled just over $456,000.
The first parcel will go to Mississippi Valley Metals, a Maquoketa-based manufacturer looking to expand its local footprint. The second will go toward the construction of a new production facility for Quality Flow Environmental.
“Both of them are growing businesses that will be good for Maquoketa,” said City Manager Josh Boldt. “It’s nice to see some things get moving in terms of business development in that part of (the industrial park).”
Mississippi Valley Metals specializes in the manufacturing and construction of metal roofing and post-frame buildings. The business currently operates north of Maquoketa at 9202 200th Ave., although owner Steve Kurtz said increasing demand has prompted the need for more space.
The industrial park appealed to Kurtz because of its industrial atmosphere and proximity to U.S. 61. The plan is to develop a 12.5-acre plot in the northeast section of the park to operate as the company’s headquarters and main manufacturing hub.
Construction is expected to start in fall of 2025, with overall project costs falling between $3 million and $4 million. Per council documents, the sale price of the industrial park plot was $318,750.
“The transition will take place over the next few years,” Kurtz said. “Our vision is to get out there where it’s a little bit easier and more accessible for our customers … and to grow in a more industrial area.”
The second plot will be sold to PWM Companies for roughly $137,500. PWM is expected to lease the space to Quality Flow Environmental for the construction of a new 40,000-square-foot plant to produce carbon-based commodities such as dry fertilizer and biochar.
Company officials did not respond to the Telegraph Herald’s request for comment, although council documents state the facility is expected to support between 40 and 50 full-time employees once it is fully operational.
Boldt said the contract approved Monday outlined the sale of 5.5 acres for development, although he estimated that in reality the final sale will be closer to 8 or 10 acres to accommodate space for heavy truck turnaround.
“With (Quality Flow Environmental), there’s a lot of really interesting stuff to learn about the industry when you get into the nitty gritty,” Boldt said. “It’s going to be a long process, but I’m excited to see what (this facility) will mean for Maquoketa.”
Boldt said both projects will likely return before the Maquoketa City Council to discuss development agreements and/or potential incentives, although those details have not yet been finalized.