Boone County Economic Growth Corporation

10/13/2026

Congratulations Lady Toreadors - State Champions! ❤️💚

STATE CHAMPIONS! 🎾👑
The Boone girls tennis team officially took the crown and brought the state trophy home! #2 Boone knocked off #1 Xavier 5-2 to capture the 1A championship! So proud of these girls and all the hard work they put in this season.

10/13/2026

Lightedge Solutions Project FAQ #28

I have heard there will be an open house on the proposed Lightedge project. Who is invited to attend the Open House?

The open house hosted by Boone County Economic Growth Corporation is planned for Thursday, October 15th from 3:00 – 7:00 pm at the Boone County Fairgrounds; it is intended for Boone residents only. All attendees will be required to sign in and provide their address to attend the informational event. This will be a come and go event.

Learn more in our FAQ online:
https://boonecountyegc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Lightedge-FAQ-BCEGC-2026.pdf

10/12/2026

In September, the BCEGC Executive Board announced that following a period of detailed review, they had signed a Letter of Intent with Lightedge Solutions LLC (Lightedge) to purchase 10 acres of land in the Boone Business Park for a colocation data center facility.

BCEGC will be holding an open house for Boone residents to learn more about the project. This come and go event will be held Thursday, October 15th from 3:00 – 7:00pm at the Boone County Fairgrounds Community Center. Attendees will be asked to sign in, providing their address and email if they desire further project updates.

https://boonecountyegc.com/boone-county-economic-growth-corporation-to-host-community-open-house-on-proposed-lightedge-project/

10/09/2026

Lightedge Solutions Project FAQ #27

Why would Boone County Economic Growth Corporation (BCEGC) want to partner with the Ames Regional Economic Alliance?

While the Ames Alliance provides an Executive Director for BCEGC they also provide expertise in marketing, business recruitment and retention, workforce development, and administrative support for the organization. The Ames Regional Economic Alliance employs a team of 20 with unique skills that support the community and economic development needs of the region they cover. Their economic development region covers the communities of Ames, Boone, Huxley, Jefferson, Nevada, Ogden, Story City, Webster City and the rural communities of Boone, Greene, Hamilton, and Story Counties. Our contract for services is likely less than we would invest in a single individual to be our Executive Director without the advantage of having a professional business development and marketing team to support them. Pooling resources with neighboring communities through the Ames Alliance allows us to compete on a playing field with metropolitan areas such as Polk County.

Learn more in our FAQ online:
https://boonecountyegc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Lightedge-FAQ-BCEGC-2026.pdf

10/08/2026

Lightedge Solutions Project FAQ #26

How is the Boone County Economic Growth Corporation funded?

The 2026 annual budget for the Boone County Economic Growth Corporation is $123,150. These funds come from both the private and public sectors. In 2026, 45% of the funds came from the private sector.

Learn more in our FAQ online:
https://boonecountyegc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Lightedge-FAQ-BCEGC-2026.pdf

10/07/2026

Lightedge Solutions Project FAQ #25

Who makes up the Board of Directors of Boone County Economic Growth Corporation?

The 2026 Board of Directors for the Boone County Economic Growth Corporation number 34. The Board is governed by an Executive Board of Directors of 10; all of which live and work in Boone County.

Learn more in our FAQ online:
https://boonecountyegc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Lightedge-FAQ-BCEGC-2026.pdf

10/06/2026

Lightedge Solutions Project FAQ #24

We continue to get asked why does the Ames Alliance own and operate Boone County Economic Growth Corporation?

The Boone County Economic Growth Corporation, formally known as Boone’s Futures, has been in existence since 1989. We are an independent organization. We are not owned by the Ames Alliance.

The Boone County Economic Growth Corporation is a 501(c)4 economic development organization funded by both private and public sources. Our focus is to boost the local economy by assisting existing businesses in their expansion efforts, and by targeting industries that fit our strategic advantages. Our success has been has been predicated partnerships with key stakeholders and crafting winning proposals that meet or exceed the needs of the site selector.

In 2022 we signed a contract for services with the Ames Regional Economic Alliance to provide us with economic development, organizational, and marketing support. The organization continues to be governed by an Executive Board of Directors, all of which live in Boone County.

Learn more in our FAQ online:
https://boonecountyegc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Lightedge-FAQ-BCEGC-2026.pdf

10/05/2026

Lightedge Solutions Project FAQ #23

What does Lightedge intend to invest in a project in Boone?

It is estimated that Lightedge will invest more than $200 million to construct their next colocation data center in Central Iowa.

A 10-acre project site in the Boone Business Park remains under consideration.

Learn more in our FAQ online:
https://boonecountyegc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Lightedge-FAQ-BCEGC-2026.pdf

10/02/2026

Lightedge Solutions Project FAQ #22

Will Lightedge pay utility franchise fees?

Yes, Lightedge will pay utility franchise fees should they decide to build a colocation data center in Boone.

A franchise fee in Iowa is a charge that cities can impose on providers of utilities for using public property to deliver them. These fees are passed on to consumers as part of their utility bills. The fee is based on the gross revenues of the provider within the city and is capped at 5%, the franchise fee in the City of Boone is 1%.

The City of Boone directs the utility franchise fees they collect to the City’s General Fund.

Based on Lightedge’s electrical usage at their Altoona operations these franchise fees in Boone would result in an estimated $80,000 in new general fund revenue each year.

Learn more in our FAQ online:
https://boonecountyegc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Lightedge-FAQ-BCEGC-2026.pdf