Manufacturing Our Future: Lee County’s Next Chapter

BENJAMIN

October is National Manufacturing Month, a time to celebrate the companies and people who build in America. Here in Lee County, manufacturing is not just part of our past. It is the foundation of our present, the engine of our economy, and the insurance policy of our future.
One in every four jobs in Lee County is in manufacturing, making us one of the most industry-driven counties in Iowa. Manufacturers here generate more than $380 million in annual wages, supporting families and fueling local commerce. They also sustain our communities by supporting essential services like roads, utilities, and public infrastructure, while contributing taxes, franchise fees, and community investments that improve our shared quality of life.
I grew up here, and when I graduated from high school, manufacturing wasn’t even on my radar as a career path. I thought I had to leave to experience success. I didn’t know what our local facilities produced, let alone that they offered professional, technical, and leadership careers alongside operations and production roles. That’s why LCEDG, in partnership with our local school districts, are working to change that. We want students to understand what is made here, how it is made, and to feel proud of the opportunities that exist in their hometowns.
Today’s manufacturing jobs are modern, clean, and high-tech. Whether someone has a degree or not, these roles offer real pathways to grow, lead, and advance. Employers are investing more than ever in training, mentorship, and upskilling because they know their people are their greatest asset.
Not long ago, our communities felt the sting of major closures, reminders of how deeply jobs shape pride, purpose, and stability. That memory fuels our commitment to protect and grow the industries that anchor Lee County today.
That is why manufacturing matters.
It is not only the backbone of Lee County’s identity but also the heart of our resilience. From wind blades and rail components to chemicals, food products, and electrical systems, our manufacturers produce goods that reach customers across the country and around the world.
Yet their impact goes far beyond the economic data. Rarely does an event happen in Lee County, whether a little league game, a park improvement, a sports booster’s fundraiser, or a community festival, that is not supported in some way by our industries. Their sponsorships, donations, and volunteer hours quietly sustain the social fabric that holds our communities together. Their innovation keeps us competitive. Their stability anchors our economy. Their investment builds the foundation for future growth.
That growth is visible. Virnig Manufacturing’s recent announcement to invest more than $11 million and begin production in 2026 in the former Independent Can building in Fort Madison is more than a new business in town. It is a powerful symbol of renewal. And it is not happening in isolation. Across Lee County, existing manufacturers have reported over $160 million in capital improvements over the last five years, with more than double that amount already planned for the next five. These investments show deep, ongoing confidence in our facilities, our workforce, and our communities as valuable places to invest, innovate, and grow. 
And so, we must believe in our communities too. 
We know not everyone sees the progress unfolding in real time, and make no mistake, there is plenty to be improved upon. It is notable that when people talk negatively about their hometown, they are often trying to distance themselves from decline. It is a way of protecting their pride. But decline can be reversed the moment we act. When someone picks up trash, sweeps a sidewalk, paints a wall, plants a flower, mentors a student, participates on a board or committee, or runs for city council, the trajectory shifts. Every small act of care builds pride, and pride builds momentum.
So this Manufacturing Month, let us appreciate the industries and people who make Lee County strong. Let us recognize the employers who provide good jobs, invest locally, and show up for their communities time and time again. And let us take that same energy and apply it to the challenges ahead, together.
The future of Lee County will not be written by those who talk about what is wrong. It will be written by those who roll up their sleeves and make things right.
Let us keep manufacturing not just products, but progress, pride, and possibility.
Emily Benjamin is President and CEO of Lee County Economic Development Group and can be reached at ebenjamin@leecountyEDG.com .