Iowa Wind Plant Reopens After 12 Years, Adds 100 Jobs

After sitting silent for 12 years, a wind turbine manufacturing plant in West Branch, Iowa, is humming with life again and hiring.

Nordex, a global wind energy company, officially reopened its 200,000-square-foot facility in July 2024. The plant now employs more than 100 workers who manufacture nacelles, hubs, and drivetrains for wind turbines powering homes across the U.S. and Canada.

The factory's journey mirrors the ups and downs of America's renewable energy industry. Originally built in 2007 by Acciona Windpower, the plant created over 100 jobs. But when the 2008 financial crisis hit, demand for wind turbines crashed. Acciona laid off workers in 2009 and 2013 before ultimately closing the doors.

For more than a decade, the building sat empty while Iowa's wind energy industry quietly grew. Today, wind power generates about 60% of Iowa's electricity, making it a national leader in renewable energy.

When Nordex acquired the facility in 2016, company leaders saw potential. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and surging demand for clean energy finally made reopening possible. CEO Jose Luis Blanco told Reuters it wasn't a question of if they'd restart production, but when.

The Ripple Effect

The reopening does more than bring back jobs. It positions Iowa at the center of America's clean energy future.

The West Branch facility is now one of the most advanced nacelle assembly plants in the country. Workers there support Nordex's 600 other employees already working across the region, creating a hub of renewable energy expertise in the Midwest.

North American CEO Manav Sharma praised the community's support. "Of all the places, we've never felt more welcome than we have here in Iowa," he said at the grand reopening celebration.

Jackie Shay, Nordex's vice president of people and culture, emphasized the company's long-term commitment. "We've strategically maintained our facility here in anticipation of this growth. It makes perfect sense to leverage the skilled workforce and strong community partnerships we've established."

The investment required minimal capital because the building was well-maintained and ready to go. That efficiency meant faster job creation and quicker production timelines.

Iowa's wind energy workers are proving that manufacturing jobs and environmental progress can grow together.