Governor Terry Branstad visited Washington Tuesday and toured Modine. The company is Washington County’s largest manufacturing employer with approximately 250 employees, who manufacture various parts for different engines, including John Deere equipment. Modine employees provided a tour of the production floor and in attendance were other area manufacturers and entrepenuers, including staff from Bazooka Farmstar.

The company representatives from around Washington stated their companies are growing as there is a demand for product but it is tricky finding skilled employees and attracting them, to which Branstad said he will be signing a bill on Memorial Day called Home Base Iowa, which works to match jobs with companies in Iowa with people coming out of the military.

Branstad also stated the Kirkwood programs with area school districts and the National Career Readiness Certificate are two avenues that are helping students find careers and employers find a skilled workforce.

For photos of the tour visit KCII’s Facebook page.