Industry
Home of Major Industry

Emmetsburg is no stranger to industrial development. With companies like Ag Processing Inc., POET Biorefinery, Aluma, Montag Manufacturing, and others, we've proven to be a successful location for startups, business relocation and expansion.

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ECDC Housing
Devoted to Community Growth

The Emmetsburg Community Development Corporation is investing in the future of Emmetsburg by constructing middle-income housing units which are needed to sustain the growth of the community and workforce.

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Business Park
We're Shovel Ready

The Emmetsburg Business Park is home to MidAmerican Energy, Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, Ag Partners, and Wiley Trucking, and we're ready to welcome more businesses to our community.

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Small Business
Small Business Support

We celebrate and support small businesses in Emmetsburg. Looking to start a business or locate here? We have financial resources and educational resources that can help set you up for sucess.

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Recreation
Abundant Recreational Opportunities

Emmetsburg is not only a great place for businesses, but also the ideal place to call home with our many outdoor recreational amenities. Go boating on Five Island Lake, walk or bike on the growing Five Island Trail, fish or float the Des Moines River, play a round of golf or disc golf, and enjoy one of our campgrounds on the lake.

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Education
Quality Education System

Emmetsburg offers both public and private education - Emmetsburg Community School District (PK-12) and Emmetsburg Catholic (PK-8), Iowa Lakes Community College, and Buena Vista University remote campus.

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Emmetsburg Economic Development

The growth in business, industry, and recreational offerings in recent years makes Emmetsburg an exciting place to do business and to call home! Emmetsburg has attracted companies like Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh, Brookstone Lodge & Suites, Ag Processing Inc., and Wild Rose Casino & Resort, and has welcomed many small businesses to our community. The City of Emmetsburg and local partners continuously strive to make Emmetsburg an appealing location for both businesses and individuals. We always aim to provide advice and guideance for any business that may be struggling or would like to grow. From advicing you to use a company like Qualtrics for better survery solutions to helping you find your target audience to improving your marketing efforts, we will try to help in any way we can. It’s important to us that local businesses feel they have our support. In recent years, a large downtown facade rehab program was completed, a beautiful new community center was built on the shores of Five Island Lake, and the Five Island Trail has continued to grow.

What Emmetsburg Offers

  • Alluring lake and outdoor recreation
  • Lower than average cost of living
  • Affordable housing
  • Outstanding schools – private and public
  • Phenomenal community college
  • Business-friendly community
  • Tax incentives and financial programs
  • Excellent roads, streets, and highways
  • Railroad access in all directions from town
  • Reliable and affordable utilities
  • Strong ethics
  • Skilled workforce
  • Small, friendly community
  • Low unemployment rate
  • Low crime rate
  • Advanced technology
  • Amazing quality of life

Economic Development Contacts

City of Emmetsburg

Palo Alto County EDC

Business Development Partners & Resources

Emmetsburg Community Development Corpoation (ECDC)

ECDC is a private, non-profit organization that promotes economic development in Emmetsburg by providing leadership and promoting community development that focuses on expansion of existing businesses, promoting new businesses, and promoting job growth. ECDC focuses on five areas: existing business expansion, new business opportunities, job retention, marketing, and tourism.

Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce

Emmetsburg Chamber is a non-profit group, focused on promoting retail and service businesses.

Emmetsburg Municipal Utilities (EMU)

EMU offers a new business gas utility incentive and two low-interest revolving loan programs for new and expanding businesses.

Palo Alto County Economic Development Corporation

Palo Alto County Economic Development Corporation (PACEDC) is a private, non-profit organization that promotes economic development for all of Palo Alto County.

Mid Iowa Growth Partnership

Mid-Iowa Growth Partnership is an 8-county regional effort that promotes growth and attracts businesses to the area.

LocationOne Information System (LOIS)

LOIS is a statewide economic development database that provides detailed information on buildings, sites, and locations anywhere in Iowa. Anyone can use this Internet source to do an online search to find economic development information about virtually every community in the State of Iowa. This information is helpful for people and businesses all over the nation looking to develop a business or expand an existing one.