New Jobs in Charles City Plentiful, Housing Not So Much

Future expansion and creation of new jobs at Zoetis and Cambrex, combined with Pure Prairie Farms hoping to employ up to 250 people, will shed more light on the housing shortage in Charles City.

Mayor Dean Andrews says adding more housing will be a focus of the City as they formulate their goals for the new year. He adds that the Charles City Area Development Corporation is also revitalizing a committee to look at options to encourage more building of homes.

Andrews says finding places to build is also a challenge.

Andrews also notes that not a lot of existing homes in Charles City are also becoming available to buy.

In addition to buying and building homes, Andrews says there are also single people or perhaps retired couples looking for rental units like the Union House downtown and adding similar apartment housing would also be helpful.