Daisy Brand is constructing a new state-of-the-art dairy processing facility in Boone, representing one of the largest economic development projects in central Iowa history. The company, known nationally for its sour cream and cottage cheese products, selected Boone after a competitive multi-state site search led by regional and state partners.
Construction officially began in 2025 on the approximately 1 million-square-foot facility, which is expected to create up to 255 jobs as operations ramp up. The project represents a $1.2 billion investment in the region and will strengthen Iowa’s position as a leader in food processing and dairy production.
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance worked closely with the City of Boone, Boone County Economic Growth Corporation, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Alliant Energy, DMACC, and other partners to secure the project.
The Ames Event Center—which anchors The LINC development along Lincoln Way between Clark Avenue and Kellogg Avenue—is a state-of-the-art facility designed to host large and small events, meetings, and gatherings. Beyond the Ames Event Center, the area will feature an upscale, full-service hotel, retail shopping, restaurants, apartments and green spaces, creating a vibrant hub for Ames-area residents and visitors. The LINC itself may be the single most transformative development Ames has ever seen. The Ames Event Center will become our meeting place for various local activities but also host others with regional, national, and international draws.
The planned Ames Event Center at The LINC will have 30,000 to 40,000 square feet of open space, with capacity for 800 to 1,000 in a banquet setting and the ability to separate into smaller rooms. The Ames Event Center will be connected to a 200-room, upscale, full-service hotel property.
The Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center brings to Ames a facility that will meet the indoor swimming needs of the community. The new 38,900 square foot facility is located at 115 N. Elm, across from the Iowa Department of Transportation headquarters, built on the property of the old St. Cecilia Church and School.
The Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center includes:
Fundraising for the project began in 2021 and was led, in part, by Ames Regional Economic Alliance President & CEO Dan Culhane. “When we started talking about this project to prospective donors, the response was tremendous,” said Culhane. “The business and community leaders were quick to support this project because they all knew that it was an amenity that our community needs not only for today, but for our future growth.”
In February 2023, the Ames City Council thanked the 42 donors who gave a total of $10.4 million for the project. Rich and Mary Fitch, who own Furman Realty in Ames, and their family gave $3 million toward the project.
The facility’s base bid was estimated at just under $28.4 million. The city has $20.5 million set aside for the construction, which has been estimated to cost just under $20.3 million. A handful of multi-purpose rooms and a walking area were added to the blueprints for an additional $1.5 million, bringing estimates to the $32 million mark. In December 2023, the project was awarded a $500,000 Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
Construction for the aquatic center began in the spring of 2024, and officially opened in June of 2026.
The Webster City Gateway Industrial Park has officially been designated an Iowa Certified Site, marking a significant milestone for economic development in Hamilton County and the broader Central Iowa region. The achievement is the result of a collaborative effort between the City of Webster City, Ames Regional Economic Alliance, Hamilton County Growth Partnership, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
CyTown is a unique, year-round destination to be built in the heart of the Iowa State Center — between Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum — that will enrich Central Iowa for generations to come.
The project is planned to include a medical facility and a mix of retail, office space and 20 luxury suites. It will also feature a plaza and amphitheater.
The City of Ames and Ames Main Street are collaborated on a plan for the future of downtown. The plan provides a guide for improving the area over the next 15 plus years, understanding that the area will continue to adapt to market changes.
Our Guiding Vision for the Future will be utilized for promoting redevelopment, enhancing the streetscapes and facades, improving connectivity to and within downtown, identifying housing opportunities, increasing economic development, and more!
In May 2023, the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, located in Madrid, Iowa, began its first transformational project in 23 years with the start of Treehouse Village. The project features multiple treehouse experiences and an all-inclusive treehouse playground for children of all ages and abilities, including those with special needs.
Treehouse Village also includes elevated and ground level treehouse experiences. The treehouse play area is the main feature of this project with its ramps, wheelchair-accessible swing, slides & hammock swing, ground-level zip line, hammock netting, and other fun activities. Treehouse Village opened in Spring 2024.
Steven L. Schainker Plaza is intended to be an amenity and attraction to Downtown for a wide range of ages, people, and activities. This community gathering space will include a mix of elements designed to enhance the Downtown experience, such as interactive water features, native landscaped green space, public art, shade structures, open gathering areas, food truck spaces, benches, restrooms, and winter ice skating.
With the focus on public art, small gatherings, interactive features, and activities, the plaza will complement Downtown businesses and other public spaces of Bandshell Park and Tom Evans.
That growth is accelerating at American Packaging. APC’s latest investment in Story City, a nearly $8 million expansion, underscores both market demand and the company’s long-term commitment to the region.
The project includes a 20,000-square-foot addition to the facility, new state-of-the-art pouching equipment, and the creation of 25 new jobs. Construction began in October 2025 and is expected to be completed by fall 2026. The expansion will increase capacity for pouches and bags serving high-growth categories such as pet food, baking mixes and ingredients, lawn and garden, home care products, and more.
Furniture Mart opened its new Ames store in November 2025 and is located at 329 SE 5th Street between Walmart and Target.
The 90,000-square-foot facility features a full furniture showroom, mattress gallery, home décor, and design services. The project added a major retail destination to Ames and serves customers from across Central Iowa.
Generation Repair & Service (GRS), which specializes in repairing and maintaining wind turbine gearboxes, main shafts, electrical components, and tooling for wind farms across 29 states and Canada, is moving forward with a $17 million expansion and partial remodel of its Story City facility. Supported by a $481,500 tax incentive from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the project’s steel structure is in place, with wall sheeting and roofing nearing completion. An onsite crew of about 40 workers is pushing toward an end-of-September occupancy for the new addition, with the full remodel expected to wrap up by January 2026.
Iowa State University Research Park (ISURP) and Alliant Energy announce a new multi-tenant collaboration space to be built at ISURP this summer.
McFarland Clinic broke ground on its new 78,000-square-foot Ames location in CyTown on Tuesday, April 15. The McFarland Clinic CyTown facility will anchor the new CyTown development at Iowa State University near Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum. This state-of-the-art facility will enhance access to healthcare for residents of central Iowa and university students, faculty, and staff.
The McFarland Clinic CyTown location will feature several primary care and specialty care services available to the general public, including Family Medicine, Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Pediatrics, Physical Therapy, Primary Care Sports Medicine, and Urgent Care. The CyTown location will also have laboratory and radiology services, including general imaging and an MRI unit. The tentative opening date for McFarland Clinic CyTown is anticipated to be late 2026 or early 2027.
The Alliant Energy Agriculture Innovation Lab is expected to be completed by the fall of 2024. It will pair collaborative office and agricultural workshop space to allow for a unique and innovative work environment in Central Iowa. Over 70% of the building will feature high bay and lab space. The ISU digital and precision agriculture program will leverage this new space to grow and become a world leader in ag tech innovation.
JT Logistics hosted a groundbreaking in September 2025 for their new 300,000-square-foot facility east of Ames. As a family-owned, Iowa-based company, JT Logistics provides innovative warehousing, transportation, and fulfillment solutions across the Midwest, with the new facility expanding their regional footprint and creating employment opportunities in Story County.
Danfoss Power Solutions, the largest employer in Story County, is undergoing an expansion project that will provide space for engineers to do work on innovative solutions with a focus on sustainability. Known internally as Americas Application Development Center (ADC), the area will focus on research and development and will be available to current and potential customers to experience Danfoss solutions on demonstration vehicles. After a $5 million investment to develop the test track, this project is focused on increasing the work area. The 8,700-square-foot addition will more than double the ADC’s existing shop space with three additional work bays, a vehicle wash bay, and more.
State and local leaders along with company leaders at Chevron Corporation celebrated the grand opening of the Ames Technology Center in June. The 45,000 square foot facility, which sits on the Chevron Campus in Ames, Iowa, will expand the company’s lower carbon fuels technology development and advanced technical support capabilities by adding new analytical laboratory and research & development space, along with new offices. With investments like this one, and a commitment of $8 billion to grow its lower carbon businesses by 2028, Chevron is building a portfolio of lower carbon solutions that are available in the marketplace.
