OSKALOOSA – Last Wednesday, a funding commitment from the Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) Fund was approved by the Iowa Department of Transportation Commission for a connector project at the Oskaloosa Innovation Park, through the RISE Local Development program. This grant will assist in the construction of approximately 10,000 feet of new roadway connecting Iowa 23 and U.S. 63, turn lanes at Iowa 23 and 17th Avenue East, Iowa 23 and Osburn Avenue, Iowa 23 and proposed connector, and U.S. 63 and proposed connector located southeast of Oskaloosa.

The city says the project is necessary to provide improved access to more than 517 acres; including the Oskaloosa Innovation Park, a proposed Iowa Economic Development Authority Certified Site of approximately 490 acres, and an additional 27 acres that will be opened for RISE eligible development.

“We appreciated working with the City of Oskaloosa and the State of Iowa moving this important project forward,” said Mahaska County Board Chair, Mark Groenendyk.

“This is a big deal for the city as the project checks all the boxes. It’s a poster child for community project and how the team can come together to advance the community’s interest,” said Oskaloosa City Manager, Amal Eltahir.

The estimated total project cost is $15,600,563, and the total estimated RISE grant is $10,140,366 ($5,881,412 from the county share and $4,258,954 from the city share) or up to 65 percent of the total project cost, whichever is less. The actual award amount is subject to change as project plans are finalized.

For more information, please contact: Andrew McGuire, Mahaska County Engineer, mcguire@mahaskacountyia.gov or Amal Eltahir, Oskaloosa City Manager, aeltahir@oskaloosaiowa.org.