(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Transportation Commission approved funding today (Tuesday) for roadway improvements to help two major businesses planned in Perry. The D-O-T’s Deb Arp says the money is from the Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy or RISE fund. Part of the money is for the proposed Perry sausage plant. “J-B-S U-S-A will invest 135 million dollars toward a new 150-thousand square foot sausage manufacturing facility, creating 250 jobs and up to 500 jobs within five years,” Arp says. The other company wants to build in the Perry Industrial Park.

“The Italian company A-D-R group will invest nearly 15 million dollars toward a 54-thousand square foot facility that will serve as its A-D-R Axles U-S-A North American headquarters and production facility, creating 35 new jobs which may double within five years,” she says. Arp says the RISE request falls under the categories that help improve access to businesses, and allow for the immediate creation of new jobs.

“In total, the rise eligible project cost of both components for the city of Perry’s application is six-million-836-thousand-19 dollars. Based on the capital investment, job creation commitments and potential for future job creation, staff recommends the Commission award arise grant of four-million-825-thousand-266 dollars from the city share of the RISE fund,” Arp says.

She says this represents Rise support for 71 percent of the projects. The proposed Perry sausage plant has also received 12 million dollars in tax benefits from the Iowa Economic Development Authority board. The A-D-R plant was also awarded state tax benefits for the promise of creating new jobs. Arp says both companies plan to break ground soon and be operational by the end of 2026.

The Transportation Commission also approved funding for roadways to an area in Spencer where businesses could relocate after the flooding of 2024. The D-O-T’s Deb Arp says multiple businesses have expressed interest in relocating after the flooding. She says Spencer does not have many industrial lots and over the next five years the city will have very limited capital to invest in development.

“These rise roadways will open up ten lots and 52 acres for development, and this application meets the requirements of the proposed Business Relocation and Job Retention Local Development Program as presented,” Arp says. The estimated cost of the project is around one-point-one million dollars. “The recommendation then is the RISE grant of 833-thousand-125 dollars from the city share of the RISE Fund, or of the 70 percent of the total rise eligible project costs, whichever is less,” she says.

Design of the roadway is expected to be complete by January 2026 and construction is expected to be complete by November of 2026.