West Branch Times Online: Acciona Expresses Interest in IC Wind Supply Chain Campus

ICAD Group Helping With Project

by Gregory R. Norfleet
Iowa City wants to create a "wind energy supply chain" campus to connect suppliers with assembly plants like Acciona here. The Iowa City Area Development Group announced recently that it has begun the process of acquiring, annexing and zoning the first 173 acres of land to start the campus.

ICAD President Joe Raso said the site already has rail service and will be developed with other common utilities to make it “shovel ready” for any manufacturer, but the city wants to appeal specifically to the wind energy industry.  "Companies in that industry ... have certain needs," he said, "like a skilled workforce in a right-to-work state."  Bringing suppliers here would cut down on transportation costs, too.

Raso said city leaders envision forging and casting, manufacturing, light assembly, warehousing and distribution on the campus.  Acciona’s North America Vice President of Manufacturing Adrian LaTrace said Friday that the campus is of great interest to the West Branch plant.  "I think the suppliers that are most interesting to us are the ones who make the components for the nacelle — the turbine section of the machine," he said.  The West Branch plant currently has some of its parts shipped in from as far as Europe, like the large forged and cast components that make up the frame, shafts and other interconnecting parts.

Spokesman Eric Schneider said that if Iowa City is successful in attracting suppliers to the area, Acciona would benefit.  "The closer the supply chain the better," he said.  Raso notes that despite the recent economic downturn, wind energy is one of the notable industries that is "pretty active."

"We want to assist in any way we can," he said.