Lee County Economic Development Group

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Lee County Economic Development Group Lee County EDG is dedicated to driving economic growth and shaping a thriving business environment.

Congratulations to our Manufacturing Month Coloring Contest winners!As part of Manufacturing Month, we invited Lee Count...
10/16/2026

Congratulations to our Manufacturing Month Coloring Contest winners!

As part of Manufacturing Month, we invited Lee County’s first graders to participate in a coloring contest designed to introduce young students to the many opportunities manufacturing has to offer right here in our community.

Through this activity, we hope to spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and help students begin exploring the exciting careers and industries that help keep Lee County moving forward.

Thank you to all the students who participated, the teachers who helped make this possible, and our local manufacturing partners who continue to invest in the next generation of our workforce.

Congratulations to all of our winners, and thank you for helping us celebrate Manufacturing Month in Lee County!

Meet Clint Glasscock, a longtime team member at Siemens Gamesa!With 19 years at Siemens Energy, Clint has found opportun...
10/15/2026

Meet Clint Glasscock, a longtime team member at Siemens Gamesa!

With 19 years at Siemens Energy, Clint has found opportunities for career growth, wellness, and building relationships with great people throughout the manufacturing industry. One thing that continues to stand out to him is the teamwork involved in bringing together people with diverse backgrounds and skills. He has also seen firsthand how technology continues to advance, including the increasing size of wind turbine blades to meet customer demands.

Lee County has always been home for Clint. Born and raised in the area, his family owned and operated Glasscock’s Shooting Preserve for more than 20 years. With multiple generations of family ties and a community that has supported them over the years, Clint takes pride in being part of Lee County.

Outside of work, Clint enjoys spending time with family, attending church, watching football, following dirt track racing, and enjoying the outdoors.

When asked what advice he would give someone considering a career in manufacturing, Clint emphasized the importance of being willing to learn, staying adaptable, and being prepared for new challenges every day.

Thank you, Clint!

The first session of the 2026-2027 Lee County Leadership program took place yesterday, bringing participants together fo...
10/14/2026

The first session of the 2026-2027 Lee County Leadership program took place yesterday, bringing participants together for a day of learning and discussion.

The morning began with curriculum and thoughtful discussion on the foundations of civil leadership. In the afternoon, participants heard from a panel of individuals with extensive experience in civic leadership and volunteerism. The day wrapped up with a tour of Lock 19 in Keokuk.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the first session of Lee County Leadership a success!

Meet Kelly Graham, Production Engineer at Axalta Coating Systems!With nearly 15 years of experience in manufacturing, Ke...
10/14/2026

Meet Kelly Graham, Production Engineer at Axalta Coating Systems!

With nearly 15 years of experience in manufacturing, Kelly has developed a strong appreciation for the people, processes, and teamwork that go into producing quality products. In his current role at Axalta, he enjoys learning about the chemical manufacturing industry and discovering new ways to apply the manufacturing principles he has built his career around. He emphasizes that safe and efficient production depends on a great team, quality materials, reliable processes, and well-maintained equipment.

Kelly and his wife moved to Lee County with their two children two years ago, choosing the area for its value to their family as they put down roots and begin the next chapter of their lives. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys fishing, spending time outdoors with his family, and embracing country life as their animal herd continues to grow.

For those considering a career in manufacturing, Kelly encourages getting involved early, connecting with people in the industry, and exploring the different processes, tools, and methods that spark an interest. Gaining hands-on experience and learning from others can help build valuable skills and open doors to future opportunities.

Thank you, Kelly, for sharing your manufacturing journey and offering insight into the skills, teamwork, and opportunities that make this industry such an important part of Lee County!

Thank you to Southeastern Community College for hosting yesterday's Maintenance Professionals Roundtable at their Keokuk...
10/13/2026

Thank you to Southeastern Community College for hosting yesterday's Maintenance Professionals Roundtable at their Keokuk campus!

We brought together local maintenance professionals, SCC faculty and staff, and representatives from CBIZ for a great conversation about how industrial maintenance education and training pathways translate into careers in our local workforce.

Industry professionals shared insight into the skills and knowledge they look for in future employees, while representatives from SCC, CBIZ, and SCC's ICART program highlighted how they're preparing students to meet those needs through education, training, and hands-on experience.

Following the roundtable, administrators from all four Lee County school districts joined us for a tour of SCC's Industrial Maintenance labs and an opportunity to learn more about how students can begin exploring and pursuing these career pathways while still in high school.

Connecting industry, higher education, and our local school districts is an important piece of building a strong workforce pipeline right here in Lee County. These conversations help ensure students are aware of the opportunities available to them and that education and training continue to align with the needs of our local employers.

Thank you to everyone who participated, shared their perspectives, and continues to invest in the future of our workforce!

Meet Josh Wykert from Cryotech, our next Manufacturing Spotlight!As Senior Finance Manager, Josh oversees the Purchasing...
10/12/2026

Meet Josh Wykert from Cryotech, our next Manufacturing Spotlight!

As Senior Finance Manager, Josh oversees the Purchasing, Distribution, Finance and Accounting teams. With a background in accounting and family ties to the manufacturing industry, Josh found that manufacturing was a natural fit for his career.

One of the things Josh enjoys most about his work is that every day brings new challenges and opportunities to improve. He was also surprised to discover that a world-recognized leader in aircraft and runway deicing products was headquartered right here in Lee County. Through his work, Josh helps play a part in keeping air travelers safe and packages moving through the distribution network.

Outside of work, Josh stays involved in the community by serving on the Fort Madison School Board, Y Board and Chamber of Commerce Board, as well as coaching high school football.

Josh encourages anyone considering a career in manufacturing to be willing to learn, ask questions and take on new challenges, emphasizing that the opportunities are there for those willing to seize them.

Thank you, Josh, for sharing your story and highlighting the opportunities manufacturing brings to Lee County!

Our Manufacturing Spotlight series continues with Kate Eid, Finance Manager at Allied Blending!Kate began her career in ...
10/09/2026

Our Manufacturing Spotlight series continues with Kate Eid, Finance Manager at Allied Blending!

Kate began her career in banking before transitioning into manufacturing accounting, where she has spent the majority of her career working with companies across Lee County and Southeast Iowa. Throughout her journey, she has gained valuable experience in a variety of roles and developed a strong appreciation for the people and teamwork that make manufacturing successful.

While numbers have always been her strength, Kate’s favorite part of her job is inventory. She enjoys understanding how products are created from start to finish and seeing how each department contributes to the overall operation. One thing that surprised her about manufacturing was just how connected every department is. Even in an accounting role, understanding what happens on the production floor is essential to telling the full story behind the numbers.

For Kate, Lee County has always been home. Born and raised in the area, she appreciates the small-town atmosphere and the sense of family that can be found throughout the community. Outside of work, she stays busy supporting her two kids in their activities, helping her husband with his lawn and landscape business, and enjoying local events with her family.

Kate encourages anyone considering a career in manufacturing to take the opportunity, emphasizing the great people they will meet and the significant impact local manufacturers have on their communities.

Thank you, Kate, for sharing your story and helping us recognize the people and careers that make Lee County manufacturing such an important part of our local economy!

Meet Tory Rhea of Conagra Brands! Our next Manufacturing Month Spotlight. Tory’s career in manufacturing began with an i...
10/08/2026

Meet Tory Rhea of Conagra Brands! Our next Manufacturing Month Spotlight.

Tory’s career in manufacturing began with an interest in problem-solving and understanding how things work. His journey has taken him through maintenance, reliability, planning and leadership, giving him a unique perspective on the many opportunities manufacturing has to offer.

As someone born and raised in Lee County, Tory is proud to be part of the area’s strong manufacturing community and believes there are opportunities for the next generation to build meaningful careers close to home.

His advice to anyone considering a career in manufacturing? Come in with an open mind, ask questions, take advantage of opportunities and never stop learning.

Thank you, Tory, for sharing your story and helping us highlight the people behind Lee County manufacturing!

What a great evening celebrating Lee County’s manufacturing industry!Our Manufacturing Leaders Reception brought togethe...
10/07/2026

What a great evening celebrating Lee County’s manufacturing industry!

Our Manufacturing Leaders Reception brought together local manufacturers and community leaders for an evening of networking, conversation and celebration. It was a great opportunity to connect with industry leaders, recognize the important work happening across Lee County and celebrate the people who keep our manufacturing industry moving forward.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the evening a success. We are proud to celebrate the people, businesses and leaders who continue to strengthen manufacturing in Lee County.

Meet Michelle McGhghy, our next Manufacturing Month spotlight!Michelle joined Conagra with a background in Occupational ...
10/06/2026

Meet Michelle McGhghy, our next Manufacturing Month spotlight!

Michelle joined Conagra with a background in Occupational Health Services and Employee Wellness and Safety, bringing her experience in medical workers’ compensation management to the manufacturing industry. Today, she serves as a Senior Safety Specialist, where she takes pride in helping keep Conagra employees healthy, safe, and supported.

Michelle was surprised by just how much precision, teamwork and pace goes into producing everyday products like Vienna Sausages and Pork & Beans. She’s proud to play a role in helping keep Conagra running for years to come.

For Michelle, Lee County is home, and it’s the friendly people who make the community special.

Outside of work, Michelle enjoys spending time with her dogs, Hank and Cash, cooking for her family, golfing whenever she can and watching football.

Thank you, Michelle, for sharing your story and for the important role you play in Lee County’s manufacturing industry!

Address

2495 280th Street
Montrose, IA
52639

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+13194639030

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