Washington Economic Development Group

Thank you to Governor Kim Reynolds and Washington County, IA Emergency Management for helping our communities through the flooding. If your home or business has been affected, please use the link in the original post to report the damage. It helps officials understand the full impact across Washington County.

With more storms possible, please stay safe and check on your neighbors.

Last week, WEDG partnered with Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and Kirkwood Washington County Regional Center to bring Washington County employers together for an Employer Listening Session. IWD shared information about programs, tools, and resources, but the most important part of the morning was hearing from the businesses doing the hiring. Employers talked candidly about challenges to filling open positions, barriers to creating meaningful apprenticeship opportunities, and other issues that can make it easier - or harder - to grow a business.

These conversations are important. A direct line to the people developing programs, shaping policy, and making decisions that affect our local workforce matters. WEDG is proud to be a convener, creating opportunities for Washington County employers to connect directly with the people developing programs, providing resources, and making decisions that impact our workforce and businesses. Thank you to our employers for showing up and speaking up, and to Iowa Workforce Development and Kirkwood Community College for being great partners in this work.

🌟 WEDG INVESTOR SPOTLIGHT: Premier 1 Supplies

Here's another Washington County business with a pretty great story...Premier 1 Supplies got its start when founder Stan Potratz returned to Iowa after farming in England and discovered that some of the livestock equipment he'd used there wasn't available in the US. He imported equipment for his own farm, and word got around...and Premier was on its way. More than 40 years later, Premier 1 Supplies is still based here in Washington County!

Premier operates three farms where their team raises livestock and poultry and uses and tests the products they sell. We're also fortunate to have Premier's leadership involved directly with WEDG. CEO Ben Rothe serves on our Board of Directors, bringing his business and entrepreneurial perspective to the work we're doing throughout Washington County.

We love to tell these stories - an idea that started on an Iowa farm, grew into something much bigger, and continues to call Washington County home. Thank you, Premier 1 Supplies, for investing in WEDG and in the continued growth of Washington County! We're grateful to have you as a partner!

WEDG is excited to welcome Dane Matthew as the new City Administrator for the City of Riverside, Iowa!

Dane brings experience in local government, public service, community leadership...and, just as importantly, a desire to listen, collaborate, and become part of the Riverside community.

Strong communities are built through strong partnerships, and we can’t wait to work alongside Dane, the Riverside City Council, local businesses, and community leaders to support Riverside’s continued growth and success.

Welcome to Riverside and Washington County, Dane! We’re glad you’re here. 💙

Friday, WEDG's board gathered with elected officials and community partners to talk about what economic development looks like across Washington County and how we can do it better together. We talked about supporting existing businesses, welcoming new opportunities, and recognizing that each community needs something a little different. The morning helped us get on the same page; the afternoon brought more voices and ideas into the room.

Thank you to everyone who gave their time and perspective. Our facilitator is pulling the group's work together, and we're looking forward to sharing what comes next!

🌟 WEDG INVESTOR SPOTLIGHT: Double K Enterprises LLC

When we say WE Build Washington County, sometimes we mean it pretty literally. 😉

Double K Enterprises has been building post-frame structures since 2007, with projects ranging from machine sheds, shops, and cattle barns to commercial buildings, event venues, community spaces, and homes. Based right here in Washington, their work is a great example of the businesses that help our communities grow.

Thank you, Double K Enterprises, for being a WEDG investor and for helping us continue to build Washington County in more ways than one!

🌟 WEDG INVESTOR SPOTLIGHT: Federation Bank

We're excited to shine this week's Investor Spotlight on Federation Bank! Headquartered right here in Washington, Federation Bank has a strong presence throughout our area, with locations in Washington, Wellman, Brighton, and Richland.

We talk about the importance of investing locally, and Federation Bank does just that. From supporting our businesses and farmers to showing up for the communities they serve, they are an important part of the economic fabric of our region. We're incredibly grateful that their commitment to Washington County also includes an investment in WEDG and the work we're doing to help our businesses and communities grow.

Thank you, Federation Bank, for being a WEDG investor and a great partner in Washington County! We're lucky to have you here!

🌟 WEDG INVESTOR SPOTLIGHT: Bazooka Farmstar

There are some incredible things being built in Washington County, and Bazooka Farmstar is a great example! Bazooka has called Washington, Iowa, home since 1993, and they've continued to grow, innovate, and invest here. When Bazooka expanded in 2022, they even included a pond for product testing and quality inspections!

We're also pretty lucky that Bazooka shares some of its leadership with WEDG! Amanda Russell, Bazooka's Human Resources Manager, currently serves as the Vice President of the WEDG Board of Directors, continuing a long history of service to WEDG and our community. Her family was recently recognized at the Iowa State Fair with a Century Farm designation - celebrating 100 years of family ownership of Iowa farmland.

That combination of agriculture, advanced manufacturing, great people, and deep community roots is pretty special, and very Washington County.

Thank you, Bazooka Farmstar, for your continued investment in WEDG and in Washington County. We're proud to have you as a partner!

This is what destination development looks like. This will create opportunities that ripple well beyond the property line, and WEDG is excited to see that momentum continue to build.

Big things are happening in Washington County. 💙

The vision for Blackjack Beach, a 200-acre site with a 60-acre lake, is to create a recreational corridor that is a family destination to complement all of the amenities at the casino across the road.

The resort will include 154 RV sites, a 70,000-square-foot aquatic park, a 447-foot lazy river, a 30-foot slide tower, an adult pool including a swim up bar, and an inflatable water park out on the lake itself. Visitors can enjoy fishing, kayaking, sailing, and numerous other activities on the lake

Read more:
https://www.southeastiowaunion.com/washington/news/blackjack-beach-is-under-construction/article_b03431d8-3019-4250-ba5e-19aea138a837.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_Southeast_Iowa_Union

One of our favorite things about the groundbreaking at Blackjack Beach RV & Water Resort? Seeing so much of our WEDG leadership there to celebrate!

Our President, Past President, Board Secretary and Treasurer, as well as the City of Kalona, IA City Administrator, and County Supervisor Bob Yoder were all present! WEDG is incredibly fortunate to have Board members who don't just serve around a board table; they show up for our communities, our businesses, and the projects that are moving Washington County forward.

Thank you to our incredible WEDG Board members for your time, your leadership, and for always being willing to celebrate the wins! We have a pretty great team helping to make things happen!