Washington Economic Development Group

10/23/2026

Tourism is economic development, and Washington County has a lot to offer! The Iowa Tourism Office just shared some pretty impressive numbers. In 2025, tourism generated $11.3 billion in economic impact across Iowa and supported more than 72,000 jobs!

In Washington County, that means people grabbing lunch in a local restaurant, shopping in our towns, attending community events, and possibly discovering a place they've never visited before.

Every visitor brings an opportunity to support local businesses and create jobs. A big thank you to the Kalona Area Chamber of Commerce, Washington Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Washington, event organizers, businesses, and volunteers who work so hard to bring people to our region. Your efforts make a huge difference! Sometimes economic development starts with something as simple as getting people through the door.

Source/Graphic: Iowa Tourism Office. Iowa Economic Development Authority. 2025 economic impact study by Tourism Economics.

10/20/2026

At WEDG, we help connect businesses with opportunity. That means sharing available properties, connecting entrepreneurs and employers with owners and real estate professionals, and bringing the right partners into the conversation to help move an idea forward.

With 35,600 square feet on 3.44 acres and Highway 92 frontage, 1701 E. Washington Street offers space to think big. A showroom, offices, service area, and two large overhead doors create possibilities for a variety of businesses, or potentially more than one!

Have a business ready to expand? An idea that needs a home? Let’s talk about what could happen here.

🔗 Explore the property:
https://app.locationone.com/buildings/6ad2a4305f7b6ec749f30cb7/1701-E-Washington?organization=59eaba35bec80e09b4bbfaa9

WE Build Washington County.

10/12/2026

Sharing this one again because KCII is one of our media partners that does such a great job telling the stories of what’s happening in our communities.

This conversation brought local employers, Iowa Workforce Development, and Kirkwood Washington County Regional Center together to talk honestly about hiring challenges and what would help businesses move forward. We appreciate KCII helping share that work and the reason it matters.

Thanks for keeping our communities informed and connected, KCII Radio!

Recently, the Washington Economic Development Group 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.

10/10/2026

Every town has stories worth sharing. We love that Nathan Klostermann is finding a new way to tell Wellman’s. 🎙️

The Wellman council member is planning a podcast to share local history and celebrate the people who make “The Town That Cares” feel like home.

So much of what makes our communities special comes from the people who live, work, and put down roots here. We’re looking forward to hearing some stories!

Chances are you have listened to a podcast a time or two. There are podcasts on all kinds of topics, each with its own focus and audience. Soon, there will be one centered on Wellman. Wellman council member Nathan Klostermann is preparing to launch a podcast, which he mentioned at a recent city coun...

09/29/2026

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.

09/22/2026

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.

09/17/2026

🌟 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!

09/16/2026

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. 💙

09/14/2026

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!

09/10/2026

🌟 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!