Community Partners.

The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is proud to work alongside several community partners within Central Iowa.  

Boone County

Boone County has a robust history of supporting with both large and small business and industry, and is home to 11 different communities and over 26,000 residents. Boone County is centrally located in the state of Iowa and serves as a great location for both rail and interstate transportation needs. With close proximity to Iowa State University, Boone County offers a multitude of research and development opportunities.

Hamilton County

Hamilton County has a rich history in mining, river mills, agriculture and life in the early settlement of the Boone River Valley area. It is home to 9 communities and a combined population of over 14,000 people. It is centrally located in North Central Iowa in the middle of the tri-highway corridor of Interstate 35, Highway 17 and Highway 20. Hamilton County has an abundance of parks and recreational amenities, including Briggs Woods, the first county park in the state of Iowa that was established over 100 years old.

Story County

In the heart of America’s Cultivation Corridor and home to leading research institution, lowa State University, Story County has been at the forefront of innovation solutions for over 150 years. Home to nearly 100,000 people, the county offers diverse job opportunities in healthcare, IT, manufacturing, and other in-demand industries. Entertainment opportunities including concerts, dining options, ample outdoor recreation, diverse shopping options, Big XII athletics, and more.

City of Ames

Beneath the small town charm of Ames, Iowa, beats the heart of a much larger city. With a population of more than 70,000, Ames offers cultural, recreational, educational, business, and entertainment amenities more common in bigger metros. As a growing city, Ames continues to focus on building a strong community filled with opportunities for all.

Centrally and conveniently located in the heart of the Midwest and Iowa, Ames is known for its robust, stable economy, flourishing cultural environment, comprehensive medical care, top-quality schools, acres of parks and recreational opportunities, and the world-renowned Iowa State University.

City of Boone

Near the geographical center of Iowa, Boone is the county seat of Boone County and is home to over 12,000 people. With parts of the original Lincoln Highway running though it, Boone presents the picture of a big “little city”. Bounded by abundant parks and summer camping areas along the colorful Des Moines River, it is adjacent to some of Iowa’s richest farm lands. The community is located along Highway 30 and is served by the mainline of the Union Pacific Railroad.

City of Huxley

Huxley, Iowa is a unique community where economic opportunity is within driving distance, kids can attend great schools, you can own your own home, community involvement is valued, and friends are just next door. Huxley combines both small town, Iowa values with growth and economic opportunity. The community attracts families that enjoy the friendliness of a small community and the amenities that offer an excellent quality of life for all residents.

City of Nevada

The city of Nevada offers the best small town living to all who treasure its “hometown” charm. This community is the county seat for Story County and is located just 7 miles east of I-35 on Highway 30. Nevada boasts a thriving school system, friendly neighbors, and an abundance of recreational activities to satisfy all who live and play here.

Couple that with Nevada’s proximity to Ames, Ankeny, and Des Moines, residents are able to participate in all of the events and activities of a larger community, while still living the small town life!

City of Story City

Story City is located along Interstate 35, only 10 minutes north of Ames and Iowa State University. The Story City Interstate 35 Business Park has an array of companies from Fortune 150 NextEra Energy, to family-owned Eby Manufacturing. The West Industrial Park is anchored by companies such as American Packaging Corporation and Lumber Specialties.

Story City is an Iowa Main Street Community that includes the historic 1913 Story Theatre/Grand Opera House. Story City Health and Recreation Center is a partnership with Mary Greeley Medical Center that provides a wide range of health and recreational facilities, programs, and services for all ages. The Roland-Story Community School District is class 2A with an enrollment of approximately 980 students. 

City of Webster City

Webster City, Iowa, located in Hamilton County, is taking a proactive approach to planning for the future prosperity of the traditional downtown business district. The efforts of the city of Webster City and its partners, along with investments made by the public and private sectors, are working to heighten the appeal of the downtown district among consumers, investors and entrepreneurs. 

Iowa State University

Iowa State University is a student-centric leading research university with a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, innovation, extension and outreach that benefits Iowans and the world. Innovate at Iowa State reflects the university’s national leadership for providing innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for all students. Iowa State enrolls over 30,000 students and employs more than 6,000 faculty and staff. 

ISU Research Park

The Iowa State University Research Park (ISURP) is a growing technology community and incubator for new and expanding businesses, providing access to the vast array of resources available at Iowa State University: from talent pipeline management, to specialized equipment, to access to the research infrastructure.

The 500+ acre development serves over 100 tenant companies, with more than 800,000 square feet of developed building space. The current tenant roster boasts world headquarters locations for two publicly traded companies and major research and development facilities for 10 others.