About Us WEDG

What We Do

The Washington Economic Development Group (WEDG) is a local, public-private partnership, 501(C) (6) non-profit organization formed in 1986.  It grew out of a private, community based for-profit development corporation, Washington Industries, Inc. that was formed in the 1950s to provide leadership and direction to enhance economic development efforts for the benefit of the greater Washington area.  In today’s economic environment, a holistic approach is required when addressing economic and community development. Bring people together, identify opportunities and implement solutions.

Today, WEDG provides the communities in and around Washington County, Iowa with:

Bottom line, WEDG wants to partner with existing and new businesses for the benefit of all involved.  We are the premier Economic Development organization in Washington County, Iowa.

WASHINGTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP
2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Board of Directors

• Brett DeWolf, President – Riverside Casino and Golf  Resort (’23)
• Terry Engelken, Past President – Washington State Bank (’25)
• Jennifer Wharton, Treasurer – Hills Bank (’24)
• Connie Larsen, Secretary – ReMax Affiliates (’23)
• Amanda Russell,  Past President – Bazooka Farmstar (’25)
• Kelly Litwiller – City of Wellman (’23)
• Ben Rothe – Premier1 (’23)
• Bob Yoder – Washington County Board of Supervisors (’25)
• Ryan Levy – Mose Levy (’23)
• Joseph Gaa – City of Washington (’24)
• Jeffrey Schmidt – Pleasantview (’25)

Ex-Officio Board Members

• Samantha Meyer– Main Street Washington
• Tera Pickens – Kirkwood Community College
• Michelle Redlinger – Washington Chamber of Commerce
• Ryan Schlaubaugh –  City of Kalona
• Brian Stone – Mid-Prairie Community Schools
• Peter Griffin – Alliant Energy
• Willie Stone – Washington Community School District
• Cole Smith –  City of Riverside

Staff

Mary Audia, Executive Director, Washington Economic Development Group

Past Board Presidents

• 2022 Terry Engelken
• 2021 Terry Engelken
• 2020  Amanda Russell
• 2019  Amanda Russell
• 2018  Nicole Slaubaugh
• 2017  Dennis Hunger / Nicole Slaubaugh
• 2016  Dan Franz
• 2015  Adam Mangold
• 2014  Adam Mangold
• 2013  Dr. Mike Jorgensen
• 2012  Don Sobaski
• 2011  David Mitchell
• 2010  David Mitchell
• 2009  Chris Marshall
• 2008  Mark Cobb
• 2007  David Mitchell
• 2006  Jim Hanshaw/Dave Mueller
• 2005  Steve Olson
• 2004  Steve Olson
• 2003  Nancy Rash
• 2002  Keith Lazar
• 2001  John Moenck
• 2000  Dean Dykstra
• 1999  Dan Whitlow
• 1998  Ann Harris
• 1997  Jim Gorham
• 1996  Steve Olson
• 1995  Jim Dunn
• 1994  Dick Gallagher
• 1993  Keith Lazar
• 1992  Keith Vetter
• 1991  Keith Vetter
• 1990  Joe McConnell
• 1989  Joe McConnell
• 1988  Darwin Sherman
• 1987  Mike Salter
• 1986  Craig Arbuckle

WASHINGTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP
2023-2025 INVESTORS

We are proud to have leading businesses and local governments as investors, helping us to carry out our mission: To Create and Promote an Environment for Economic Development.

Advisory Council Level

In addition to our regular investors who help us to run the organization, WEDG is very grateful for the occasional grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation to help us pursue special projects.

Harvey Holden Outstanding Service Award

Since 1998, the Washington Economic Development Group has awarded the Harvey Holden Outstanding Service Award. The award is named for Harvey Holden. Mr. Holden retired in 1998 from the City of Washington after several terms as Mayor, and several prior terms on the Washington City Council. He was a farmer and businessman. He served on the board of directors of several businesses and non-profit organizations. He was a great volunteer for the Washington Economic Development Group. We are grateful for his leadership and will remember him with fondness.

2024

Washington County Libraries
Kalona, Washington, and Wellman Libraries

2023

Tim Rouse

2022

RenElla Crawford
HACAP

2021

Washington County Department of Public Health

2020

Brenneman Pork

Washington County Hospital and Clinics 

2019

YMCA of Washington County for exceptional implementation of inclusive services and programs in Washington County.

Open Gates Group of Kalona for developing businesses that strengthen families and rural communities.

2018

Kalona Cooperative Technology Company, Inc. for their significant expansion of their broadband infrastructure into the City of Washington and other parts of Washington County.

City of Kalona for their cooperative effort to establish the Kalona Community Center.

2017

Brava Roof Tile

2016

Washington County Riverboat Foundation for awarding over $38 million through over 1,000 grants, making a big impact on Washington County since 2006.

2015

Bazooka Farmstar for its history and growth in the community, and leadership as a positive workplace.

2014

Kirkwood Washington Regional Center for opening a new $10 million regional education center

2013

Modine Manufacturing for their significant employment growth to over 280

2012

Reliant Long Term Care Pharmacy – for entrepreneurship and innovation

2011

Hog Slat – for opening a new manufacturing facility in Washington

2009

Wellman Area Foundation – for completion of Wellman Parkside Activities Center

Washington Community School Board – for moving ahead to build a new Washington High School

Modine Manufacturing – for keeping the Washington Modine plant open 

2008 

Friends of Lake Darling State Park – for spearheading the development of a new 4-Seasons Day-use Lodge

Whitesell Corporation – for their relocation and expansion in Washington

2007

Washington Chamber of Commerce – for ongoing partnerships

Iowa Renewable Energy, LLC – for building a 30 million gallon per year biodiesel refinery

Riverside Casino & Golf Resort – for building a new resort casino and employing 300 people

2006

Washington County Hospital Trustees – for building a new addition to the Washington County Hospital

2003

Washington Airport Commission – for innovation in developing new hangar and fueling facilities 

Lifetime Achievement Award to William Sitler (in memoriam) – for starting two successful companies, Sitler Supplies and Sitler Electric; for starting the Washington Betterment Foundation; and for his commitment to other community causes and initiatives.

2002

Washington County Conservation Board – for development of new Marr Park Education Center in Ainsworth

2001

John Prochaska (in memoriam) – for community leadership and business entrepreneurship

2000

Joe McConnell – for community leadership and dedication to WEDG

1999

Keith Lazar – for community leadership and dedication to WEDG

1998

Harvey Holden – for community leadership and public service as Mayor of Washington and the Washington City Council

The Washington Economic Development Group has been actively involved in multiple efforts directly related to assisting local businesses.  Strategic areas such as workforce, housing and child care development were focal points for both efforts to analyze these issues and, also for action planning.  The links below detail our Guiding Principles, Mission Statement, Desired Outcomes, Strategic Action Items and a Business Plan Checklist.  In addition, WEDG has worked to help develop the Envision East Central Iowa Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.