Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutA008 - Letter from Ames Economic Development Commission 2 Ames Economic Development Commission 1601 Golden Aspen Drive; Suite 110 Ames, IA 50010 Ph. 515.232.2310 Fax 515.232.6716 September 21, 2006 Honorable Mayor Ann Campbell City of Ames 515 Clark Ave. Ames, IA 50010 Dear Mayor Campbell and Members of the Ames City Council, I am writing to you to encourage the elimination of the Floor Area Ratio requirement for office use in General Industrial zoning. The two projects that are currently planned for the Ames Community Development Park along Interstate 35 will have significant impact from a jobs and capital investment standpoint. With the seasons changing both projects could be jeopardized with any delays as we near the latter part of the Iowa construction season. The Ames Community Development Park is a very diverse area of commercial and industrial development. With about 1/3 being light industrial, another 1/3 service related businesses, and the balance consisting of office space or other facilities such as the Ames Masonic Lodge, this truly is a mixed-use development. Adding two new office buildings to the park will bring the development closer to completion with only about 4 to 5 acres remaining for development in the park. Both of these projects bode very well for our community. One is going to be the corporate headquarters for Hawkeye Renewables, the third largest producer of ethanol in the United States. They are a growing company and will employ 20 people at their corporate office with the intent to grow their company and their employment levels at this facility. The other project is the Todd & Sargent corporate office that will employ 80 people and more as they continue to grow their business. Both of these projects are significant in that they are both agribusiness companies locating corporate offices in Ames. What a great testament to the Ames community. Great jobs and minimal impact on public infrastructure that will be clearly visible to travelers along I-35, which I think illustrates very well a community that businesses want to invest in. Ames, Iowa...Where Biotech Comes to Life. www.biotechames.com r . Ames Economic Development Commission 1601 Golden Aspen Drive; Suite 110 Ames, IA 50010 Ph. 515.232.2310 Fax 515.232,6716 Thank you for your consideration of this request. These are good projects. Projects that are good for Ames that will hopefully provide further momentum to our community as a great location for agribusiness entities and others to build corporate office facilities in our community. Respectfully submitted, T S a, Daniel A. Culhane, CEcD Executive Director Ames Economic Development Commission Ames, Iowa...Where Biotech Comes to Life.