Steve Bisenius 515-491-9011

stevewbisenius@gmail.com

Dennis Fraise 319-753-0690

djfraise@gmail.com

Dana Klesner 319-931-7182

klesnerd@gmail.com

Lee County Economic Development Group Newsletter

December 2013

Contact LCEDG Team

Join Our Mailing List

Share your success story,

company update or event with Lee County by emailing Dana Klesner at klesnerd@gmail.com

Thank you in advance for your assistance in keeping Lee County informed.

A special thank you to the Lee County Supervisors, Fort Madison Chamber of Commerce, Fort Madison Economic Development Corporation, Keokuk Economic Development Corporation and Keokuk Affiliates

Newsletter

Cryotech Deicing the Competition

Lee County EDG Recognized

Independent Can Company for

Exponential Growth

Do you Know... Lee County

Economic Development Board

Members?

Southeastern Community College

Creating Skilled Workers

Skills Gap Concerns Lee County

Key Happenings with Key Players:

Tri-State Industry Celebrates 150 Years

After four generations and 150 years, Dadant & Sons Inc. is the oldest and largest manufacturer of bee keeping supplies in the US.

Headquartered in Hamilton, Illinois, Dadant produces exquisite candles for religious and decorative purposes, commercial beeswax and beekeeper supplies for colonies throughout the US and internationally.

Congratulations to our neighbors for celebrating this 150 year milestone!

Visit Dadant’s website for more information and to view their catalog www.dadant.com

Cryotech Leading the way in Deicing Technology

Cryotech Deicing Technology, a division of General Atomics International Services Corporation, is a world leader in aircraft, runway, and commercial deicing technology. Cryotech manufactures and markets environmentally compatible low corrosion aircraft and runway deicers, certified to FAA-approved specifications. Cryotech’s main facility is located in Fort Madison, Iowa with an additional research and development site on the east coast. The first company in the industry to develop and introduce certified bio-based liquid runway deicers to the North American market, Cryotech has been supplying airports with acetate based runway and ramp deicing products since 1992. Cryotech launched its own brand of aircraft deicing fluids in 2010, after successfully supplying the North American marketplace for over ten years.

Cryotech’s experienced research and development team continuously develops, introduces, and enhances industry technology. In the last year alone, Cryotech launched three new deicing products - Cryotech Glacier BlueTM Ready-To-Use Lavatory Fluid, Cryotech Polar ShieldTM TKS In-Flight Ice Prevention Fluid, and Cryotech Polar Guard® II Type II Aircraft Deicing Fluid. In addition to these newly released products, in May, 2013, Cryotech announced an expansion of its partnership with Proviron; a Belgium based chemical solutions company. Proviron is introducing Cryotech’s aircraft deicing solutions into the European marketplace this 2013-14 winter season. This paring enables Cryotech to broaden its market reach while utilizing an experienced partner in the runway deicing industry.

Expanding on world leading deicing expertise and technological capabilities, Cryotech also focuses research and development efforts on industrial applications and services. The chemical compositions of current product lines and capabilities of the Iowa facility are marketable for industrial applications and services. Cryotech’s New Business Development Team focuses on developing these opportunities through mutually beneficial partnerships. Current industrial markets include: transit lavatory fluid, oil and gas, hydrotesting, dust suppression, and bioremediation among others. Cryotech partners with more than 25 terminals, warehouses, and blending facilities throughout North America and has a world-wide network of distributors. This distribution network combined with a vast network of common carriers allows Cryotech to meet and often exceed tight delivery expectations. Cryotech is an ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certified company; the first manufacturer in the North American deicing industry to receive both the quality and environmental management certifications. For more information visit www.cryotech.com

The Des Moines Register ran this headline on Thanksgiving to summarize the recent survey by the

Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, Debi Durham. “More than 7,000 companies

have been interviewed using this survey since 2007. Iowa’s lack of qualified workers is the top reason

businesses choose not to expand”.

Consistent with the studies done by Iowa Workforce Development, there is a serious issue of a real skills shortage that is

hindering these expansions. Director Durham has estimated that these expansions could equal $9.3 billion in new investment and

create almost 7,000 new jobs.

Some states have already responded to a similar crisis by introducing technical skills training as early as the 5th grade—such as:

robotics, machining, CNC programing, 3D printers and other skills to help students develop perspective as well as real skills. Lee

County’s challenge now is how to dramatically increase the technical skills offered to our students as early in their schooling as

possible.

Earlier this year, our unemployment rate approached 12%. Last week the official unemployment rate for Lee County was listed at

6.4%--still the highest rate in Iowa. Des Moines County is now at 5.5% and Henry County is at 4.7%. If we are ever to convince

our young graduates that Lee County provides world class jobs—and world class pay, for them to want to remain in Lee County,

we have to provide all of them with those critical skills needed—sooner than later.

- Steve Bisenius, Lee County EDG Executive Director

Skills Gap Hurts Iowa

John Moles, Chief Plant Engineer

Rapid Growth for Independent Can Company

Independent Can Company has experienced exponential growth, undergoing five significant expansions in its 35 years of being

in Fort Madison. The plant currently sits on 15 acres with room for more expansions in the future. Lee County EDG recognized

Independent Can Company by extending its “heartfelt appreciation to Independent Can Company for its significant new

investment in building their new state of the art facility in Fort Madison, Iowa.” Dave Schwarz, Chairman of Lee County EDG,

stated “This award is a tribute to the management, shareholders and employees of Independent Can Company.” Their success

is significantly attributed to being customer focused and highly flexible in meeting clients’ needs.

In the past two years Independent Can has added six new product

lines. Specializing in the very popular tin signs that can be

purchased through Desperate Enterprises. Independent Can is the

only company in the country with equipment to print lomography

on their tin signs, winning over 20 awards for their exceptionally

high quality printing. Jeff Hardy, Plant Manager, stated the tin sign

product lines has seen the most growth in one year “growing from

$1.9 million to $4 million in sales.”

Independent Can Company’s products also include popcorn tin

cans that can be found at Target, Kohl’s, Trader Joe’s and the

Popcorn Factory in Chicago to name a few. Their containers can

also be found in Trump Towers.

Independent Can also has the ability to create specialty cans of various sizes which are popular during the holidays. They have

created specialty containers for employee appreciation Christmas gifts including one for the Fort Madison Chamber. These

containers can be used in gift baskets or to hold items such as food, pocket knives, perfume or even a bottle of wine. To view

products available click here for Independent Can Company Catalog or visit www.desperate.com to view their tin signs.

Creating Skilled Workers

“Statistics reports that eight of the 10 top growing occupations through 2014 do not require a bachelor’s degree. Instead, skills

certificates, on-the-job training, and apprenticeship programs are relevant and practical methods for developing middle skills.”1

Of course, the responsibility for developing the skills necessary for the future workforce is not on the employer alone. As skilled

jobs become more in demand; earning certifications is a viable solution for workers to enhance their skillset.

Southeastern Community College Center for Business (CBIZ), is

continually developing their technical training programs for

industries to have the talent they need in order to thrive. CBIZ

currently offers an Industrial Operations Maintenance Skills training

program that covers the basic electrical and mechanical skills used in

manufacturing facilities.

“Manufacturers hiring graduates can do so knowing they’ll have the

skills to get them up to speed quickly. It really lowers the cost and

risk of hiring” stated Dennis Hinkle, Executive Director. Graduates

will have the ability to operate, repair and troubleshoot industrial

machinery as well as read blueprints & machine drawings.

By developing partnerships between industries and education systems, manufacturers can help secure a trained workforce.

Southeastern Community College is able to customize their training courses in order to fit a particular industry need. For courses

and scheduling information contact Dawn Wilkerson, dwilkerson@scciowa.edu, 319-208-5375.

1 Bridging the Skills Gap, American Society for Training & Development October 2012 http://www.nist.gov/mep/upload/Bridging-the-Skills-Gap_2012.pdf

Students trouble-shoot electrical equipment through Industrial

Operations Maintenance Skills Program

From left to right, Steve Bisenius LCEDG Executive Director, Phil

Hecht LCEDG Secretary/Treasurer, Deb Sheets Independent Can

Assistant Plant Manager, Jeff Hardy Independent Can Plant

Manager, Dave Schwarz LCEDG Chairman, and Dana Klesner

LCEDG Community Relations & Event Coordinator

Meet the Lee County EDG Board

Prior to retiring as a Vice President with Hearth and Home Technologies, Phil was Manager of

Manufacturing and Operations Manager at their Mt. Pleasant site. A 43-year resident of Lee County,

Phil holds a BES in business from St. Ambrose University, an MSEd in educational and interdisciplinary

studies in management from Western Illinois University, and a certificate from the Harvard Business

School. In Vietnam Phil held assignments on board USS ENTERPRISE and with Attack Squadron 93. Phil

currently serves on Iowa's Region 16 Workforce Investment Board and the Southeastern Community

College Foundation Board.

Joe has over 35 years experience in the banking industry, and is the current President/CEO of KSB Bank

(Keokuk Savings Bank & Trust Company). He holds both a BA degree and a Graduate degree

in banking. Joe has been involved in leadership with multiple economic development initiatives

throughout his career in various cities and states. He continues to be very active in the community

serving in a wide variety of organizations that emphasize bettering the Lee County area including groups

such as: the Iowa Bankers Association, Keokuk Economic Development Corporation, Southeast Iowa

Regional Riverboat Commission, Keokuk Affiliates, Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission and

Rotary to name a few.

Dave has dedicated most of his career to the hospitality field specializing in the hotel lodging and

foodservice industries. Dave graduated from Southeastern Community College and the hospitality

management curriculum from InterContinental Hotels, Cendant Hotel Group, and the Holiday Inn

University in Mississippi. Dave serves as President of Management Concepts, Inc., Vice President of

Southeast Iowa Regional Riverboat Commission and has been involved in many civic and community

organizations. With interests in local businesses, Dave assists in the oversight of their daily operations.

Larry was born and raised on his family’s farm near Houghton, Iowa. He attended St. John’s school in

Houghton and graduated in 1965. He attended the University of Iowa and received his degree in

Chemical Engineering in 1969. He worked for 32 years in the petrochemical industry, travelling

extensively both domestically and internationally. Larry retired in 2002 and moved back to his native Lee

County. In 2004, Larry was elected to the Lee County Board of Supervisors and was re-elected in 2008.

He was appointed to the LCEDG board in 2013.

Joseph Steil, Keokuk Vice-Chairman

Phil Hecht, Fort Madison Secretary/Treasurer

Larry Kruse, Houghton Director

Dr. Klauser is a forty year resident of Keokuk, Iowa and veterinarian at Krichel Animal Hospital. He has

been involved in numerous community organizations. In addition to Lee County EDG, Dr. Klauser is also

currently serving on Board memberships for First Community Bank, Keokuk Area Hospital, Keokuk Area

Community Foundation and the Keokuk Area Hospital Foundation.

Dr. Michael Klauser, Keokuk Director

Dave Schwarz, Keokuk and Fort Madison Chairman

Meet the Lee County EDG Board

Rick worked at the Iowa State Penitentiary for 30 years from which he retired in 2010. He is a Political

Science graduate from Iowa State University and was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives for 5

terms. Rick has been on the Lee County ED Board for one year. He currently serves on the Lee County

Board of Supervisors and has been Chair for the past year.

Gary Folluo, Keokuk Ex Officio Gary is a lifelong member of the Lee County community and was elected for his 2nd 4 year term on the

Lee County Board of Supervisors in 2012. He serves as County Representative on the Lee County EDG

Board as well as the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission, Development Committee &

Transportation Advisory Committee, Highway 61 Coalition and Executive Board Lee County Consolidated

PSAP. Prior to being a supervisor, Gary served as mayor of Keokuk for 5 years until he joined Withers

Broadcasting of IA as General Manager in 2003 where he currently manages KOKX-AM/FM, KRNQ-FM,

and WCEZ-FM.

Mike has 10 years experience with Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC), the last three as

Executive Director. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa, earning a bachelor’s degree in Geography

and a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning with a graduate certificate from the Transportation

Studies Program. Mike is also the 2013-2014 Chair of the Iowa Association of Regional Councils and the

Great River Region Partnership. He has worked in multiple areas while at SEIRPC, including: economic

development, transportation planning, programming and development, land use planning, housing

development, infrastructure planning and funding in addition to regional public transit.

Rick Larkin, Fort Madison Ex Officio

Mike Norris, Burlington Ex Officio

A graduate of Keokuk Senior High School, Tom has been an Independent Agent for over 35 years and has

served as a past National Director of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America as well as

Past President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa. Tom has been very involved in Lee County

including being a lifetime member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, receiving the Others Award,

Salvation Army’s highest award for volunteerism. He also served as Chairman of Keokuk Area Group Home

for Special Needs Adults, Past President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater River Area, and Lions Club

President to name a few. Tom earned his Bachlors degree from the University of Montana and is currently

the Vice President of Sales at KSB Insurance for the Burlington, Fort Madison and Keokuk offices.

Tony is the Plant Manager for Siemens Wind Energy in Fort Madison. He joined the Fort Madison team in

2010 as an Operations Manager and assumed the role of Plant Manager in 2012. Prior to this, Tony

worked with the HNI Corporation for 15 years, serving in various roles and facilities. Tony has been a

member of the LCEDG since 2012.

Tom Richardson, Montrose Director

Tony McDowell, Fort Madison Ex Officio

Contact the Lee County EDG Team:

Steve Bisenius 515-491-9011 stevewbisenius@gmail.com Dennis Fraise 319-753-0690 djfraise@gmail.com

Dana Klesner 319-931-7182 klesnerd@gmail.com