Economic Corridor leader urges city to expand development areas

The Clear Lake City Council is being encouraged to make expansion of its industrial park a priority.

Chad Schreck, president and CEO of the North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corporation, told the City Council last week recent activity has created a shortage of potential sites for new and expanding business and industry.

“It’s kind of a good problem for Clear Lake to have, because it means most of the spots and buildings previously earmarked for development have been taken,” Schreck told the City Council.  “But it makes it hard to attract businesses.” 

In addition to the lack of greenfield sites, there’s a lack of buildings, especially large buildings. 

Schreck said Clear Lake is down to 7.6 acres in the Larry Luker Industrial Park, and officials will need to start looking into the next area to expand. 

City Administrator Scott Flory confirmed he and Schreck were recently working with a potential prospect and the former Larson Manufacturing building was eyed.  However, they learned the building’s space had already been leased. Flory said he was disappointed the building was not available for a well-recognized name-brand company.

Schreck also reported the exterior of the new McKesson Corporation building is largely complete and management recruitment has begin.  The company began advertising for a director of operations for the Clear Lake plant about three weeks ago and four more management positions were recently advertised.  Schreck said he expects 17 management positions at the facility.  Those will likely be filled yet this year, with production to begin at the pharmaceutical distribution plant next year.

Schreck said it is possible the person chosen as director of operations for the Clear Lake facility could be announced by June and may be introduced at the Corridor’s Annual Meeting set for June 18 at Music Man Square in Mason City.  The keynote speaker for the event will be Ammie McAsey, vice president of distribution operations for McKesson’s North Central Region. She - Read More Via e-Edition