POCAHONTAS, IA (Northwestiowanow) — Pocahontas County will host a ribbon cutting and open house this Saturday for its newly constructed Law Enforcement Center.
The event runs November 8th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 22 SE Court Street in Pocahontas, beginning with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Tours will be led by members of the Sheriff’s Office staff.
The Law Enforcement Center has been in development for over two years, replacing a jail that Sheriff Steve Nelson says had long outlived its usefulness.
The new facility is equipped with a wide range of features, including a weather-protected dispatch and training area, electronic doors, a robust security system with extensive camera coverage, an in-house kitchen to reduce meal costs, and capacity for 26 inmates — expandable to 52 if needed.
Funded through an $8.5 million bond, the project came in under budget by several hundred thousand dollars. Local contractors from Fort Dodge, Humboldt, and Spencer contributed to the build, and the Sheriff’s Office prioritized sourcing supplies locally.
Nelson says the project was made possible by overwhelming public support.
Pending final approval from the state jail inspector, the new jail is expected to be operational by Christmas.
