Osceola Free Land Incentive Signs First Builder Deal

Pens and plans were busy Friday with the first builder buy-in of the Osceola Free Land Incentive program. Jeff Smyser, owner of JLS Builders, LLC out of Council Bluffs, Iowa is the first builder to sign to receive their free plot of land through the promotion.

Smyser and Bill Trickey review the plans for the new spec home

Smyser saw news of the promotion when it aired on WHO TV13 in January and thought he’d look into it. So, on his way back to Omaha from another JLS Builders development site, he stopped into the CCDC office to discuss details of the program with Bill Trickey, Executive Director of the Clarke County Development Corporation (CCDC).

After looking at available lot options in throughout Osceola, a decision was made on a lot in the County Club addition. Listed through Saylor Realty, Smyser was connected with Community Builders, owners of the lot and the details of the transaction were finalized.

JLS Builders plans to construct a single-family spec home on the lot. The plans discussed at the closing Friday were for a 3-bedroom 2.5 bathroom single level home with living space of over 1900sq. feet. The final purchase price for buyers of the home will be $250,000. While homes of this quality easily go for $275,000 or more, through the Free Land Incentive, JLS is able to pass the savings on to the buyers.

The Free Land Incentive was introduced through collaborative efforts of the CCDC and The City in the hopes of attracting builders and developers to the area,” said Bill Trickey. “With the sign-on of JLS Builders, we’re excited to see the success of the program, during development and community growth.”

For more information on the “Free Land” program, contact Bill Trickey, Executive Director of CCDC 115 E Washington St, Osceola, IA 50213, Phone: (641) 342-2944, email: [email protected]