Major Employers and Industries
| Company name | Industry | Ownership | Location | Employees |
| Sunrise Farms | Agricultural Service | Private | Harris | 210 |
| Hood Packaging | Packaging Company | Private | Sibley | 185 |
| D&H Poultry | Agricultural Service | Private | Sibley | 179 |
| Osceola Regional Health Center | Healthcare | Public | Sibley | 140 |
| Sibley-Ocheyedan School District | Education | Public | Sibley | 128 |
| Cooperative Farmers Elevator | Agriculture Cooperative | Private | Allendorf, Ashton, Harris, Ocheyedan, Sibley | 70 |
| Cooperative Energy Company | Energy Supplier | Private | Sibley | 78 |
| Keith M. Merrick Company | Commercial Printer | Private | Sibley | 47 |
| Timewell Drainage | Plastic Farm Drainage Tile Mfg | Private | Sibley | 45 |
| Poet Biorefining | Corn Ethanol Refiner | Private | Ashton | 40 |
| D&K Transportation | Transportation | Private | Ocheyedan | 32 |
| Raveling | Excavation and General Contracting | Private | Melvin | 30 |
| C & B Operations | Farm Equipment Supplier | Private | Sibley | 20 |
| Bosma Poultry | Trucking Company | Private | Sibley | 17 |
Advanced Manufacturing
The Manufacturing Sector in Northwest Iowa accounts for nearly 15% of total employment in the region. This is more than double the national percentage for manufacturing. The Northwest Iowa Regional Manufacturing Partnership is composed of dozens of manufacturers operating throughout the Northwest Iowa region who have joined in partnership to promote career opportunities in manufacturing. Specifically, each of these firms has exciting opportunities in various skilled occupational areas and for them to grow and prosper they must attract individuals with relevant skills and those interested in pursuing exciting career opportunities in manufacturing. For more information about the manufacturing partnership, please click here.
Renewable Energy
The Northwest Iowa Region is one of the most wind-rich areas in the United States. Most of the area falls into the Class 4 category for wind speed that is suitable for wind power generation with large wind turbines. More than 500 wind turbines are currently in operation or proposed in the Northwest Iowa region. The wind generation project in Osceola County will generate enough electricity to power 45,000 homes. Iowa leads the nation in wind power generation as a percentage of total power output at 36.6% (2016). There's a robust supply chain in the region including manufacturing of all major wind components. Read more about renewable energy in Northwest Iowa.
Osceola County has very competitive/affordable energy rates and availability. Alliant Energy, local energy cooperatives, and municipal supplied electrical energy are made available. The area hosts the newest Iowa region of alternative energy development opportunities in the areas of bio-fuels, wind energy, and solar activities.
Suppliers:
- Osceola Electric Cooperative serves members in Dickinson, Lyon, O'Brien and Osceola counties, but a majority are located in Osceola County. OEC's Sterler Community Solar Park is located north of Sibley, and output is available for purchase. Call: (712) 754-2519
- Alliant Energy provides competitive energy rates and special economic development opportunities for prospective customers. Call 1 (800) 255-4268
- City of Sibley: Call (712) 754-2541
Education and Training
Three community colleges in the region and two four-year colleges offer Wind Energy and Turbine Technician training.
Logistics and Distribution
In Northwest Iowa, Logistics represents a significantly greater percentage of the employment than is represented in the State of Iowa and in the nation. Northwest Iowa also is at the center of the country’s railroad network. The Region is served by the Union Pacific (UP), Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), and D&I Railroad, which runs through Sioux County, connects to UP, BNSF, and Canadian National (CN).
Commercial air service is also available nearby at the Sioux Falls, S.D. Regional Airport and the Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City, Iowa. All of our six counties have a smaller airport to support general aviation. The Big Soo Terminal, located on the edge of Sioux City, is the furthest northern barge terminal on the Missouri River and it offers worldwide shipping.
BioTechnology / Processing
Biotechnology employment in Northwest Iowa has grown significantly faster than the rate of growth in the U.S. Iowa, as a leader in the production of grain, livestock and poultry, has the raw materials and expertise to support continued growth and innovation.