IAAP facility operations still on hold

MIDDLETOWN – The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant remains on a temporary closure in the wake of an as yet undisclosed incident that prompted a general safety overview of the facility.
Justine Barati, Director of Public and Congressional Affairs at Joint Munitions Command at the Rock Island Arsenal, addressed rumors that were circulating on social media over the past four days.
She also confirmed the operations at the Middletown facility are still shut down. However, no information has been provided as to what caused operations to be temporarily halted.
Barati wrote in an email to Pen City Current on Friday that there were no drones at or over the facility, there was no explosion at the facility, and there are no munitions missing from the facility.
On Monday, she addressed an additional rumor that no dangerous materials were unearthed during the construction work that is ongoing. The plant has recently signed a contract for more than $635 million to add a new production line at the facility.
Barati said information on when the plant will be reopened will be released when available.
On Thursday, employees at the plant were sent home abruptly at around noon.
According to reports from staff, they were told to gather belongings and leave the facility immediately.
A statement from Barati on Thursday said the closure was out of an abundance of caution.
"As part of our unwavering commitment to the safety of our workforce and the local community, the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant will temporarily pause operations to conduct a proactive safety review," Barati wrote.
"This precautionary step will allow a dedicated team of experts to thoroughly assess on-site storage procedures and ensure that all safety protocols are being met. The temporary pause allows this important work to be conducted with the utmost care and attention.  Access to the site will be restricted at this time.
"Our top priority is, and always will be, the well-being of our employees and the surrounding community. We are taking this proactive step out of an abundance of caution and are committed to maintaining the highest safety standards in all of our operations."
She said additional information could be forthcoming as it becomes available.
A spokeswoman at the Des Moines County Sheriff’s office said Thursday they received an email indicating the evacuation was out of “an abundance of caution” and there was an internal issue, but no threat to the general public.