Development Opportunities
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Norwalk Economic Development: Grow Here
Key Business Incentives & Development Tools in Norwalk
Tax Abatement Programs
Norwalk offers tax abatement for both new and existing commercial and industrial developments, offering significant savings for nearly every development.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
Norwalk has the ability to use TIF as a means to incentivize large commercial projects with high value. The City of Norwalk is very flexible and creative when using this tool to assist new developments
"First-In" Commercial Development Incentive
The new addition to Norwalk’s TIF (Tax Increment Financing) policy provides the ability to assist developers with up to 100% new infrastructure costs if they build the first commercial structure within a larger, undeveloped commercial area. Projects may qualify for up to 20 years of 80% TIF rebate from the new increment their project creates. This incentive also allows the City to provide lump sum grants for portions of infrastructure constructed that will serve additional future parcels. Hollie Zajicec
Utility Rate Incentives
  1. MidAmerican Energy’s Commercial New Construction program provides complimentary energy design assistance and financial incentives to help offset the cost of implementing energy-efficient strategies. To participate, customers must meet with MidAmerican Energy representatives at the start of the building design and equipment specification process. Visit https://www.midamericanenergy.com/cnc for more details.
  1. Green Advantage – MidAmerican Energy’s GreenAdvantage® program allows Iowa Customers to claim a verified renewable energy amount to help them reach their sustainability goals. https://www.midamericanenergy.com/green-advantage
High Quality Jobs Grant
The purpose of this grant program is to assist new and existing companies with business growth/expansion and new job creation in order to provide more high quality opportunities for Norwalk residents. View the application.
Additional incentives may be available for primary businesses (manufacturing, wholesale trade, information technology, financing, insurance, etc.) and/or developments requiring significant infrastructure development. Contact Us for more details.

Email your application to Economic Development Specialist Chris Cataldo and be sure to include your W9 along with the application.
Veterans Opportunities
Through the State of Iowa and the Iowa National Guard, the Home Base Iowa program was created in 2015 to recruit veterans to move to Iowa and assist them in finding full time employment. The program has many benefits for veterans who are recently separated from the military or recently returning from deployments.
Norwalk and Warren County are Home Base Iowa Communities which adds to the statewide benefits package for veterans who move to, or work in Norwalk. Many of Norwalk’s businesses are committed to hiring veterans and regularly post available positions.
For more information about this program visit Home Base Iowa Veterans Resources or contact Chris Cataldo.
Opening a business in Norwalk? Apply for a Commercial Veteran Grant up to $5,000 to help get you started.
State of Iowa and Warren County Programs
Our team will help you access additional resources including Business Property Tax Credits, High Quality Jobs Grants, and various regional economic development programs.
  • Business Property Tax Credit
    The Business Property Tax Credit is part of the overall 2013 property tax reform bill. This credit is available for certain commercial, industrial and railroad properties. The credit is applicable to individual parcels as well as “property units.” One credit is available for each qualified parcel or property unit.
Supportive Local Government: Norwalk Technology & Industry Overlay District
Norwalk's local government is highly supportive of development. The City recently amended its Zoning Ordinance to create a new Norwalk Technology & Industry Overlay District (NTI), intended to streamline and expedite the development and regulatory process. This action is designed to help attract and incentivize large-scale, high-value industrial, technology, warehouse, distribution, and data center projects.
The Norwalk Technology & Innovation (NTI) Zoning District represents our commitment to the future of business. This special zoning designation is specifically designed to accommodate technology companies, data centers, logistics operations, and modern industrial facilities.
Success Stories: Norwalk in Action
Manufacturing Excellence
Norwalk has already attracted significant manufacturing investments, including Windsor Windows and Michael Food's.
Michael Foods completed an expansion project this year, adding 138,000 SF to the current facility, 186 new FTEs, and a $146M private investment. Michael Foods was also awarded the State of Iowa’s ‘Economic Impact Award’ for 2024, a coveted recognition they have now won twice for their Norwalk facility.
These industry leaders chose Norwalk for our strategic location and business-friendly environment.