Economic Development

Warehousing and Distribution

Located in the Heartland of the United States, Siouxland is a region that includes parts of northwest Iowa, northeast Nebraska, and southeast South Dakota. The hub of this region is Sioux City, Iowa, where the Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers meet.

Because of its tri-state location, Siouxland offers companies a choice between three strong state business climates. Companies looking to build in Siouxland can choose among three affordable tax structures, three favorable state regulatory environments, and three state economic development incentive programs that include customized job training. In addition, Siouxland is an excellent location for warehousing and distribution because of its:

• Central location with easy access to major Midwestern U.S. cities, as well as Canada and Mexico
• Competitive mix of transportation and shipping alternatives
• Well-educated, productive labor force
• Low operating costs
• Abundant land and industrial sites

Located near the geographical center of the country, Siouxland is an ideal location for the warehousing and distribution of goods. Sioux City located less than 600 miles from Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Kansas City, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Denver, and Winnipeg.

Siouxland offers an excellent infrastructure for distribution of goods by truck, rail, airline, and barge. Shipping costs are kept very competitive because of these various shipping alternatives. Interstate 29 passes directly through Siouxland, and connects within 90 minutes to I-80 and I-90. I-29 has been named as a NAFTA Highway, and it provides direct access to Canada and connects with I-35 to provide access to Mexico.

Three major railroads and a major airline provide service to our region. The Big Soo Terminal, which located on the southern edge of Sioux City, is the furthest northern barge terminal on the Missouri River and it offers worldwide shipping.

The Siouxland area has one of the highest graduation rates in the country. Workers in our region have been shown to be among the most productive in the United States. Wages in Siouxland are among the lowest in the metropolitan areas of the Midwest. Electrical rates from MidAmerican Energy are very competitive.

There are several industrial parks in the Siouxland area that have excellent sites available for warehouse operations. Sioux City has recently opened the 200-acre Expedition Park at the Sioux Gateway Airport. The first building in the industrial park is a 200,000 sq. ft. warehouse owned by Bekins Distribution Center. Our region also offers large parcels of land that would make excellent sites for warehouse operations.