NEWS SPRING + SUMMER 2025
The housing assessment study for the unincorporated and six small (non-metro) cities is underway. Learn more here.
Sarah Thompson, formerly with Greater Iowa City, Inc., has joined the Planning, Development and Sustainability (PDS) Department as economic development coordinator. Sarah consults with rural communities and unincorporated areas on efforts such as grant writing, place-making projects, economic development programs, strategic marketing, entrepreneurship and project management.
Access below the plans that guide County economic development and read about resources and projects.
ACTIVE PLANS
County Economic Development Plan
The 2022 Johnson County, Iowa, Economic Development Plan: Opportunities for the Unincorporated Area, Villages and Smaller Towns was adopted on January 13, 2022, by the Johnson County Board of Supervisors after an 18-month long process that involved stakeholder engagement as well as input received from the Johnson County Planning and Zoning Commission and the Johnson County Food Policy Council. The planning process was managed by an ad-hoc steering committee, the Johnson County Economic Development Committee, which included county officials and staff and members of the Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) group.
A paper version of the plan is available at the Johnson County Planning, Development and Sustainability (PDS) Department located at 913 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. If you have any questions about the plan, please call the PDS Department at 319-356-6083.
County Comprehensive Plan
The comprehensive plan, adopted by the County Board of Supervisors, includes a chapter on local economy in both the 2018 original plan and the 2024 update, and related economic opportunity topics are incorporated into other plan goals. Access Comprehensive Planning documents here.
Additional Plans
The following plans, while not formally adopted plans by the Board of Supervisors, help guide efforts to build a vibrant and equitable local economy.
Better Together: All In Vision Plan was spearheaded by the Iowa City Area Business Partnership, Iowa City Area Development Group, Think Iowa City and the Iowa City Downtown District with input from area elected officials, stakeholders and others. Learn more about Better Together 2022 here.
Inclusive Economic Development Plan was developed by Astig Planning with the Iowa City Area Development Group, the Multicultural Center of Iowa, the Iowa City Area Business Partnership and Green State Credit Union. The plan serves as a guidebook to community leaders, local governments and the general public, and is available in four languages: English, Español (Spanish), Français (French), Hanyu (Chinese).
PROJECTS AND RESOURCES
Agritourism
A PDS, Think IowaCity, and Greater Iowa City, Inc. collaboration with agritourism businesses in the unincorporated area and small cities has produced Agri-CULTURE, a branding and logo effort. County "cruises" to businesses in the unincorporated area have been very successful.
Broadband
Studying and improving broadband, especially in the unincorporated area and smaller towns, are goals within the County's economic development plan.
In 2023, the County efforts resulted in a needs assessment and three areas earning state-designated Broadband Intervention Zone status, increasing chances for broadband providers to receive competitive funds to complete expansion projects to unserved or underserved areas. Two local providers later won competitive grants to help building out these unserved areas.
For more information, access Broadband.
Economic Development and Quality of Life Grants
For information on the Board of Supervisors grants for economic development and quality of life, access the grants page here.
Education and Training
Through the Community Horizons Speaker Series, local as well as national experts are sharing ideas and insights for communities to address topics ranging from housing to community engagement to ideas for start-up business success.
Local Foods
Local foods are an important part of the Johnson County community and economy. Visit the Local Foods page for more information.
The Community Farm and Grant Program goals include helping farm and food businesses grow, process, cook, or distribute more community-based food; assisting workers and entrepreneurs with skills development to improve their businesses; and providing low-income communiteis access to community-based food.
Small Cities' Downtown Revitalization
Spring 2025: Several of the small cities were visited by Deb Brown, founder of SaveYour.Town and co-founder of Building Possibility. From adaptive reuse to innovative community planning, Deb shared a wealth of knowledge and practical strategies to help rural-based communities navigate challenges to their downtown districts.
Spring 2023: Several of the smaller cities in the county were visited and evaluated by the Iowa Downtown Resource Center in spring 2023 as part of a three-day tour that included an overall presentation. Follow-up written reports provided details on issues common to Hills, Lone Tree, Oxford, Solon, Swisher and Tiffin, along with specific needs and recommendations for each community. The resource center is part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
Urban Revitalization
Click here to access all Urban Revitalization Plans adopted by the Board of Supervisors
Partners Note:
Greater Iowa City, Inc
As called for by the County's 2022 economic development plan, the first-ever Iowa City Area Development Group (ICAD) Director of Rural Development was hired in summer 2022. ICAD officially merged on July 1, 2023, with the Iowa City Area Business Partnership, and the combined entities were renamed as Greater Iowa, Inc. Learn more about Greater IC, here.