This fall, the City of Ottumwa is partnering with more than 100 University of Iowa faculty, staff, and students on a variety of community-based projects through the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC) at the University of Iowa. The collaboration brings together
local leaders and university expertise to address priorities identified by the community while providing students with hands-on learning experiences.
Ottumwa was selected as an IISC community partner for the 2026-2027 academic year. As part of the partnership, graduate and advanced undergraduate students will contribute more than 10,000 hours of professional planning, research, design, and analysis to projects that support the city’s long-term goals. This year’s projects focus on strengthening Ottumwa’s economic vitality, development in the airport area, enhancing public spaces, and improving quality of life for residents.
“Partnering with the University of Iowa allows us to tap into the creativity and expertise of students and faculty while advancing projects that are important to Ottumwa’s future,” said Amal Eltahir, Director of Community Development for the City of Ottumwa. “We are excited to work alongside these student teams as they develop innovative ideas that support our economic development efforts, strengthen our community, and help position Ottumwa for continued success.”
“Community partnerships like this give students the opportunity to see how the concepts they learn in the classroom translate into real-world impact,” said Travis Kraus, IISC director and professor in the University of Iowa School of Planning & Public Affairs. “By collaborating with community leaders and residents in Ottumwa, students gain valuable professional experience while helping advance projects that will have a lasting benefit for the community.”
Among the 10+ major projects this year is the development of a Downtown Master Plan led by graduate students in the School of Planning & Public Affairs, which will establish a long-term vision for downtown revitalization. Additional projects include an Airport Area Master Plan to guide future development around the Ottumwa Regional Airport, and a buy-local initiative developed in partnership with students from the Tippie College of Business and the School of Journalism & Mass Communications to encourage residents to shop locally and support
Ottumwa businesses.
Ottumwa officials and University of Iowa students and faculty will begin the partnership with a community site visit on August 28. During the visit, students will meet with city staff and community stakeholders and tour project locations throughout Ottumwa.
Additional projects will be added throughout the academic year.
