Opportunity²
Economic Development in Southeast Iowa
Collaboration is a purposeful relationship in which all parties strategically choose to cooperate, in order to accomplish a shared outcome. It’s what we do!
Open for business x Opportunity =
Opportunity²
At Opportunity Squared, 9 counties in southeast Iowa work together to find synergy and promote growth for our closely aligned economies.
Chariton (Lucas County)
Visit the Lucas County Development Website
Albia (Monroe County)
Visit the Albia Industrial Development Website
Fairfield (Jefferson County)
Visit the Fairfield Economic Development Association Website
Ottumwa (Wapello County)
Bloomfield (Davis County)
Visit the Davis County Website
Centerville (Appanoose County)
Visit the Appanoose County Website
Sigourney (Keokuk County)
Visit the Keokuk County Website
Oskaloosa (Mahaska County)
Visit the Mahaska Chamber Website
Pella (Marion County)
Visit the Marion County Website
Knoxville (Marion County)
Visit the Marion County Website
Our Primary Initiatives
Generating Ideas & Solving Problems
Educators in the Workplace
This unique summer workshop, offered through a collaboration between local economic developers and Indian Hills Community College, provides teachers, administrators and counselors with workplace tours and tools that allow them to get back in the classroom and reach K-12 students with hands-on experience of the people and places offering work that’s close to home, ready to hire, and with livable wages. Read more…
Laborshed Workforce Report
Opportunity Squared works with Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Workforce Development to produce a new laborshed about every 2 years. Of greatest importance is the recording of employment data such as wages, post high school educational attainment, and commuting patterns
#IowaSouth
#IowaSouth is a region dedicated to helping you find space to breathe, connect to a place that appreciates you, allows you more personal time, and lets you find your voice. Every city in the 9-county area has a little rural charm blended with a little downtown bustle.
This diverse, $12.5 billion dollar economy features careers, not just jobs, in agriculture, healthcare, technology and many other industries coupled with a lower cost of living. Read more…
Latest News
Generating Ideas & Solving Problems
Governor awards $210M in broadband grants
This week, Governor Reynolds and the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) announced the latest recipients of the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grants Program, including multiple projects across the entire Opportunity Squared region. Funding of more than $210M...
Maax Spas beginning operations in Ottumwa, Iowa
“MAAX Spas®, a leading hot tub and swim spa manufacturer based in Chandler, Arizona will begin operations by year-end at the former Universal Rundle facility located at 2908 N. Court,” announced Sharon Stroh, VP of Industrial Development at Greater Ottumwa Partners in...
Manufacturing 4.0: Iowa’s Blueprint for a Technology Revolution
Iowa’s Manufacturing 4.0 Plan Fuels Innovation for Future Generations By Jill Lippincott, Iowa Economic Development Authority Iowa’s extensive history of supplying global markets with a wide range of goods – from food products and pharmaceuticals to aerospace...