It is important to understand that this county Comprehensive Plan does not govern planning within Calhoun County’s incorporated cities. Instead, it focuses specifically on areas outside city limits—basically, those who live in the country or at Twin Lakes, along with agricultural land, rural businesses and other properties located in the unincorporated areas of the county.
If you live, farm, own property, operate a business or have other interests in rural Calhoun County or at Twin Lakes, this planning process directly relates to you, and we want to hear from you.
Calhoun County residents are invited to participate in a Comprehensive Plan Public Input Meeting on Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at the Calhoun County Conservation Nature Center in Rockwell City.
The Comprehensive Plan will serve as an important long-range guide for decisions affecting these areas of the county. The process is being led by the Calhoun County Comprehensive Plan Committee with planning assistance from MIDAS Council of Governments.
A comprehensive plan provides a big-picture look at where the unincorporated areas of the county are today and where residents would like them to go in the future. It helps identify priorities, opportunities and challenges while providing guidance for future decision-making.
The plan can help guide conversations and decisions involving land use, agriculture, economic development, housing, transportation, infrastructure, recreation, conservation, renewable energy and other issues that affect rural Calhoun County.
Most importantly, the plan should reflect the people who live, work, farm and invest in these areas. That is why public participation—particularly from rural and Twin Lakes residents—is such an important part of the process.
The September 3 meeting will begin with introductions of the Comprehensive Plan Committee and MIDAS Council of Governments. Participants will also learn more about what a comprehensive plan does for the county, who is involved in developing it and the timeline for completing the planning process.
The majority of the evening will be dedicated to hearing directly from residents and property owners.
Participants will have an opportunity to provide input in seven areas that will help shape the future of unincorporated Calhoun County:
Approximately eight minutes will be dedicated to each topic, allowing participants time to think and write down their ideas before sharing thoughts with the group.
What is working well in rural Calhoun County? Where are the gaps? What opportunities should we be preparing for? What should we protect and preserve? Where should we invest our time and resources?
These are conversations that can help establish a long-term vision for the areas of Calhoun County outside our incorporated communities.
Another important opportunity for public participation will be introduced during the September 3 meeting. Access to the Calhoun County Comprehensive Plan Survey will be shared with attendees, providing an additional way to contribute thoughts, concerns and priorities.
The survey is specifically designed to help gather information from people connected to the unincorporated areas of Calhoun County—including our rural residents and those living at Twin Lakes.
Even if you cannot attend the September 3 meeting, the survey provides an opportunity to have your voice included in the planning process.
Your experiences with rural housing, agriculture, roads, infrastructure, public services, conservation, economic development, renewable energy and other issues are important. The more participation received from the people who actually live, work and own property in these areas, the more accurately the Comprehensive Plan can reflect their needs and priorities.
Your Voice Matters
A strong Comprehensive Plan shouldn’t be created by one committee or a small group of people. It should be informed by those who understand rural Calhoun County because they live there, farm there, own property there, operate businesses there and invest in its future.
This is an opportunity to help identify what we value today, what challenges need to be addressed and what opportunities we should prepare for in the years ahead.
Thursday, September 3, 2026
5:30–7:00 p.m.
Calhoun County Conservation Nature Center
1228 W High St, Rockwell City, Iowa
Bring your ideas, concerns and vision for the future. If you live in rural Calhoun County or at Twin Lakes, this plan affects your area—and your input matters.