Our Ottumwa Plan

Our Ottumwa Plan

Ottumwa, Iowa

The Our Ottumwa Plan is a long-range comprehensive plan for the future of the historic river town of Ottumwa in southwest Iowa.

For many decades, Ottumwa had been experiencing population and job loss until an influx of immigrants in the 1990's helped to curb the population’s decline. The Comprehensive Plan was created to represent the collective goals of the community organized around four major guiding principles: improving the existing older housing stock and adding new workforce housing, highlighting the quality of life and unique community character of Ottumwa, attracting continued employment and population growth, and a commitment to celebrating the diversity of Ottumwa. The plan was completed alongside a major grant-seeking project to revitalize the downtown and riverfront.