A New Company Comes To Hawarden

May 11, 2007

The City of Hawarden announced today that it had reached a tentative sale agreement with an injection molding company to occupy the Oakhill Industrial Building located at 1111 Oakhill Drive.  The Hawarden City Council unanimously approved a short-term lease with Plasticology, LLC at a special meeting held on May 1st that will allow the company to install machinery and begin production while permanent arrangements are finalized.

If approved, contracts will sell the building to Plasticology through the terms of a forgivable mortgage that will require the company to create a minimum of 45 new jobs over a ten year period. The City will also rebate a portion of new property taxes created by a proposed 30,000 square foot expansion on the property.  Plasticology will begin operations in the facility as early as May 21st with an initial 6 to 10 employees servicing existing contracts. 

“While Plasticology is a new Iowa company, their leadership team brings volumes of business and industry experience to the table,” said Spencer Haacke, Hawarden’s new Economic Development Director.  “We are extremely happy to welcome Plasticology to the area as well as put this facility to productive use.”

The Oakhill Industrial building formerly was the Sioux Empire College gymnasium and closed its doors in the 80’s.  After sitting empty for a few years, Lutheran Social Services took over the facilities as a group home to assist troubled teens.  They occupied the building for about 10 years and gave the building back to the City on October 31, 2000. The City used the building for various City uses and rented it out on occasion to the community. 

Plasticology approached the City early in April of 2007 to entertain purchasing the building.  They had been looking at various locations and business options throughout northwest Iowa.  Jason Metten (City Administrator) and Haacke have been working diligently with them since Plasticology showed interest.  “We are excited to have Plasticology here and look forward to helping them however we can,” Jason Metten said. 

KMEG Broadcast May 14, 2007