Fraise's impact continues to be felt in Lee County

FORT MADISON – As Casey's finalizes plans to construct a large retail outlet on the city's west side, a key player in the economic development of Fort Madison can be found in the mix.
At 79 years old, Fort Madison real estate broker and auctioneer Dan Fraise continues to play a key role in the growth and development of the community he has served for more than four decades. This month, Fraise closed on the sale of the commercial site that will become the future home of the new Casey’s General Store.
Fraise began selling real estate in the early 1980s and, in 1987, opened his own office under the name First Dan Fraise Better Homes & Gardens. That company would later evolve into Fraise Auction & Real Estate, a business he now operates alongside his son, Corey, and daughter-in-law Carrie. Together, the three are business partners, with Corey and Carrie managing the day-to-day operations and leading a team of seven full-time agents who serve Fort Madison, Lee County, and the surrounding region.
“It’s been a privilege to work with Dad and learn from him over the years,” said Corey Fraise. “His knowledge and determination have played such a big part in shaping Fort Madison’s growth, and Carrie and I are grateful to continue building on the foundation he’s created.”
Throughout his career, Fraise has handled nearly every type of property—residential homes, acreages, farms, recreational land, and commercial real estate. But it was in the commercial sector where he carved out his niche, bringing together buyers, sellers, and developers to complete deals that have reshaped the face of Fort Madison and Lee County.
As a long-serving member of the Fort Madison Economic Development Group (from the early 1990s until 2019), Fraise was instrumental in numerous site selections and land acquisitions that fueled local progress. His projects include transactions tied to the Iowa Fertilizer Plant (now Koch), Fort Madison Community Hospital, Walgreens, Super 8, AutoZone, KL Megla (now part of the Lee County Economic Development Group), Meller Quarry, Truck Repair, Cobblestone Inn & Suites, Family Video, Dollar General, and Pilot Grove Savings Bank, among others. He also spearheaded redevelopment projects, such as transforming the site of a dilapidated gas station into his own commercial office.
When the Iowa Fertilizer Plant was considering sites, it was also looking at locations in other states. Fraise was key in securing an Option to Buy on 300 acres—a move that ultimately kept the project in Lee County.
In addition to land development, Fraise has facilitated the sale of many turnkey businesses and commercial buildings across Fort Madison - from Americana Bowling Lanes and Anytime Fitness to Amigos, Mr. Movies, and a variety of downtown storefronts. He also negotiated leases, including the west-end Dollar General.
Looking back, Fraise said what he’s enjoyed most is “the challenge of site selection - finding the right fit for both the community and the developer.” His experience and persistence have made him a trusted partner in projects that brought jobs, services, and new life to Fort Madison and the surrounding area.
From his first sales in the early 1980s to his latest commercial deal nearly 45 years later, Dan Fraise’s work has left a lasting imprint on the community - proof that experience, vision, and dedication can help shape a town’s future.