Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds visited Mount Pleasant Thursday, highlighting both local manufacturing and tourism during stops at Continental and Midwest Old Threshers.
Reynolds toured the Continental manufacturing facility, where the company produces rubber hoses and other rubber products.
Continental is currently investing 95-million dollars into its Mount Pleasant facility, a project expected to create approximately 50 new jobs.
Reynolds also stopped at Midwest Old Threshers, touring the grounds with CEO Terry McWilliams to see the results of projects supported by Destination Iowa grants.
Here’s Terry McWilliams talking about the governor’s visit to Old Threshers and the impact of the Destination Iowa funding:
Reynolds also rode through the campground on fully restored trolley car number 1779, which will return to service during this year’s Old Threshers Reunion.
The open-air trolley was originally built in 1911 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and operated there until 1965. It had not run at Old Threshers since 2020.
During her visit, Reynolds praised McWilliams and Old Threshers for their grant writing and fundraising efforts. She says the state wants to partner with tourism attractions to help them grow and remain sustainable.
McWilliams says the governor’s visit gave Reynolds an opportunity to see firsthand the projects that have now been completed, and stressed that investments made possible through programs like Destination Iowa will help ensure Midwest Old Threshers continues to attract visitors and remain a destination for generations to come.
The governor’s visit comes just days before the 2026 Midwest Old Threshers Reunion, which runs September 3-7, 2026 in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
