The result is a county-wide pattern: downtowns are returning to their role as social and economic anchors. MAJOR INVESTMENT IN AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL GROWTH Woodbury County’s economy is underpinned by agriculture and production, but recent years have also brought significant private sector investment that reflects long-term confidence in the region. Bittinger notes that over the last decade, multiple major companies have invested hundreds of millions of dollars into Sioux City and the surrounding area, strengthening both the tax base and the long-term employment outlook. Among the notable investments referenced in county discussions are CF Industries,Ag Processing Inc. (AGP), and Seaboard Triumph Foods. AGP’s recent capital improvements in Sergeant Bluff alone represent more than $200 million, underscoring the scale of reinvestment occurring in the county’s agricultural processing sector. County leadership emphasizes that these investments do more than create jobs. They stabilize families, strengthen local spending, and support the broader ecosystem of small businesses and service providers that depend on strong wages and consistent employment. Just as importantly, county leadership views business attraction as a collaborative effort. Woodbury County works closely with partners such as the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce to reduce friction, identify incentive opportunities, and help businesses navigate the process as efficiently as possible. When the government can reduce red tape and make projects more achievable, leaders say, the benefits extend directly to residents. INFRASTRUCTURE REALITIES: POWER AS THE NEXT CONSTRAINT If Woodbury County has a limiting factor, leadership is candid about what it is: power. As business demand grows—especially as information technology and energy-intensive operations expand—county leaders see electricity 274 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01
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