Webster City Gateway Industrial Park Earns Iowa Certified Site Designation

The 478-acre, rail-served property received the certification through the Iowa Economic Development Authority's program.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:10am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a polished metal railroad spike, a sleek industrial gear, and a smooth concrete block arranged elegantly on a clean, white background, conceptually representing the transportation infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities, and development readiness of the Webster City Gateway Industrial Park.The Iowa Certified Site designation for the Webster City Gateway Industrial Park signals its readiness to support large-scale industrial operations through its strategic transportation links and development-ready infrastructure.Webster City Today

The Webster City Gateway Industrial Park was officially designated as an Iowa Certified Site on April 9, 2026. The designation serves as a verification that the site meets rigorous standards regarding infrastructure, availability, and development readiness, positioning the region to compete for large-scale logistics and manufacturing operations.

Why it matters

The Iowa Certified Site program is designed to eliminate unknowns that frequently delay industrial projects, giving businesses greater confidence and a faster speed-to-market, which are critical factors in a competitive economic landscape. The certification of the Webster City Gateway Industrial Park is part of a broader strategy to attract very large development projects to the region.

The details

The 478-acre, rail-served Webster City Gateway Industrial Park received the certification through the Iowa Economic Development Authority's Certified Site Program. The comprehensive certification process evaluates several key factors to ensure the land is ready for immediate use by potential investors, including utility access, land ownership, transportation infrastructure, and environmental considerations.

  • The Webster City Gateway Industrial Park was officially designated as an Iowa Certified Site on April 9, 2026.
  • In February 2025, the Webster City City Council voted unanimously to expand and certify the city's Southeast Industrial Park to a potential 600 acres.

The players

Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)

The state agency that oversees the Certified Site Program, which is designed to accelerate economic development by providing verified data on site readiness to give businesses greater confidence and a faster speed-to-market.

City of Webster City

The local government entity that collaborated with regional partners to achieve the Iowa Certified Site designation for the Webster City Gateway Industrial Park.

Ames Regional Economic Alliance

A regional economic development organization that partnered with the City of Webster City and others on the certification effort.

Hamilton County Growth Partnership

A regional economic development group that was involved in the collaborative effort to certify the Webster City Gateway Industrial Park.

Dan Culhane

The President and CEO of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, who praised the regional collaboration that led to the site certification.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This certification is a testament to what can be accomplished through strong regional collaboration. By working together across communities and organizations, we are creating opportunities that are far greater than any one entity could achieve alone. The Webster City Gateway Industrial Park is a transformative asset for this region, positioning us to compete for high-quality projects and long-term investment.”

— Dan Culhane, President & CEO, Ames Regional Economic Alliance

What’s next

The certification of the 478-acre Webster City Gateway Industrial Park marks a significant step in the region's expansion and readiness strategy, positioning the area to compete for high-quality industrial projects and long-term investment.

The takeaway

The Iowa Certified Site designation for the Webster City Gateway Industrial Park demonstrates the power of regional collaboration to create transformative economic development opportunities. By working together, local and regional entities have positioned this site to attract large-scale logistics, manufacturing, and other industrial operations that can drive long-term investment and growth in the community.