I now have passed the four-year mark leading the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce. On Aug.  2, I marked that milestone, a reminder of how long economic development can take to gain traction yet how worthwhile that persistence is once momentum builds.

Today the economic energy in Marshalltown is palpable. Walk around town and you will see construction happening everywhere, visible signs of investment growth and opportunity blooming across our community.

A prime example is the expansion by MARSHALLTOWN Company. In May the community gathered for a groundbreaking at their South 8th Avenue campus for a roughly 170,000 sq ft expansion, their third major expansion in Iowa in six years, set to bring their facility to 350,000 sq ft. Earlier this year they also added second-story offices and are reconfiguring older buildings now to make room for a new entrance, break room, and expanded manufacturing space helping them support future hiring here in town.

At the same time, JBS is investing significantly in a new cold storage warehouse onsite strengthening their long-term commitment to our community, even amid broader uncertainty in the meatpacking industry across the state. JBS has shown that in those times they are willing to grow and expand their investments and have stepped up, not only in Marshalltown to invest and grow, but throughout Iowa we see their investments continuing to manifest.

Another local success story is The Integration Group (TIG). Just three weeks ago the City Council heard about the project and moved forward with bringing back proposed terms for a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement to support their upcoming expansion, a $15 million investment to add 90,000 sq ft and create 50 new jobs. This expansion highlights the fact that without proactive efforts such as those by the Chamber and City, TIG might have chosen growth elsewhere, showing just how crucial local support and persistence are in keeping businesses rooted here.

CO₂ Refrigeration Systems, which began their project last year, is now ramping up hiring. Their manufacturing space is built out, sales are growing, and their presence is firmly established in Marshalltown.

Reserve Development’s Shops at Marshalltown project is transforming the Marshalltown Mall. With the support of City Council for a $7.2 million TIF Agreement to support their nearly $43 million redevelopment, we expect to see new retail, restaurant, and entertainment options emerge by mid-2026, that will recement Marshalltown as a regional shopping destination.

Creekside Estates is a townhome project just north of Wayward Social that has been under construction for the past year. Phase one of 24 market rate townhome units is coming to completion with occupancy already beginning to ramp up.

Just to the north of Creekside Estates, the Linn Creek District projects are under active construction. That includes the Ann C. Keyser Trailhead, the Emerson Bridge, the Apgar Family Water Plaza and further toward Center Street the Martha-Ellen Tye Playhouse (Phase two of the Marshalltown Arts and Civic Center’s transformational redevelopment).

Alliant Energy has also begun advancing its application through the Iowa Utilities Board for a new power generation station adjacent to its existing facility. If approved, it will bring a significant construction jobs and strengthen Marshalltown’s capacity to attract additional industrial and manufacturing opportunities with reliable and consistent access to power.

With broad community input as a priority, the City is moving forward on updates to key planning tools, including their comprehensive plan, a housing study, and a facilities study for sports and recreation offerings. Each of these will offer the next layer of guidance for private-sector investment, helping to turn ambition into reality.

It is easy to lose sight of progress when you are in the thick of it. But today we have major projects underway, new investment flowing in, and much more on the horizon. Four years ago, these efforts were ideas. Today they are emerging as new buildings, jobs, amenities, and community transformation.

This is not the finish line. It is a mark in the sand showing how far strategy, persistence, and partnership can take us. It truly is a great time to be a Marshalltownian.

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John Hall is the president/CEO of the

Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce.