When Urbandale’s city council voted to reject the first step needed to allow Buc‑ee’s to build near Northwest 100th Street and Northpark Drive, the decision sparked a scramble among nearby Iowa municipalities eager to attract the high‑traffic retailer.

Governor steps in

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds posted on Facebook that she is working to identify a community willing to approve the project, noting the economic benefits a Buc‑ee’s can bring to a region.

West Des Moines leads the charge

Mayor Russ Trimble of West Des Moines said he has been advocating for Buc‑ee’s to come to Iowa for two years. “It was disheartening to hear Buc‑ee’s was planning an Urbandale location,” Trimble said, but he remains confident the city is back in contention.

Trimble pledged to work “as hard as we can to not only bring them here to Iowa, but to bring them to West Des Moines.” He plans to present four or five potential sites to the chain and even posted a photo of a location he sent to Buc‑ee’s in December 2024 to generate excitement.

Other towns express interest

The Bondurant Area Chamber of Commerce has formally expressed interest in hosting the store, and Norwalk’s mayor, Tom Phillips, collected more than 3,500 signatures last year to encourage Buc‑ee’s to build in his city. A Norwalk spokesperson confirmed the city reached out to the retailer on Wednesday to request a meeting.

What this means for Iowa

Local officials see the potential Buc‑ee’s location as a boost to jobs, tax revenue, and regional tourism. While the Urbandale setback was a disappointment, the competitive interest from multiple cities underscores Iowa’s desire to keep the state on the map for major retail development.

Residents in the affected communities can expect further updates as the retailer evaluates the proposals and as local governments continue to coordinate with Governor Reynolds’ office.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.