    [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2025)]
    [Senate]
    [Pages S1337-S1338]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                             ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                          RECOGNIZING EDGEWOOD LOCKER

     Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as chair of the Senate Committee on
    Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an
    outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American
    entrepreneurial spirit. This

    [[Page S1338]]

    week, it is my privilege to recognize Edgewood Locker of Edgewood, IA,
    as the Senate Small Business of the Week.
      In 1966, Tom and Joan Kerns founded Edgewood Locker as a family-run
    operation in a rented building in downtown Edgewood. After experience
    on their family farm, the young couple decided to take the risk of
    opening a meat processing plant. Initially, the business focused solely
    on custom meat processing and locker storage services. Four years
    later, the Kerns family expanded operations by purchasing an old
    creamery on the north edge of town and remodeling it themselves. The
    business steadily grew with the involvement of their sons Terry and
    Jim, and by 1980, they established a generational family partnership.
    This enabled Edgewood Locker to expand its service offerings, as well
    as launch a retail store serving cuts, cured meats, and more. Over the
    years, the business undertook six major remodels to accommodate its
    increasing customer base and expanding range of services. In 1997, this
    ultimately led to Edgewood Locker's relocation into a new, state-of-
    the-art facility on the west edge of town. In 2022, the business nearly
    doubled its space, adding another 19,000 square feet to its facility.
      Today, Terry and Jim continue to run Edgewood Locker along with the
    family's third generation Katie, Baili, Payson, and Luke. Under their
    leadership, Edgewood Locker expanded to employ 60 full-time employees
    from the local community while serving customers throughout Iowa.
    Edgewood Locker built a reputation for its high-quality meat products
    and award-winning processing services. The company provides full-
    service custom processing of cattle, hogs, lambs, goats, and deer,
    catering to both individual customers and wholesalers. Edgewood Locker
    prepares award-winning sausages, meat sticks, bacon, and more with
    their family recipes and works with over 140 retail partners across the
    State. Last year, the business produced over 1 million pounds of
    sausage and almost 500,000 pounds of venison products.
      Edgewood Locker is deeply committed to community service. The company
    is a member of the Edgewood Chamber, the American Association of Meat
    Processors, and the Iowa Meat Processors Association, with over 200
    industry awards hanging on its walls. The company also supports local
    schools, civic groups, and churches through charitable donations and
    sponsorships. Additionally, Edgewood Locker sponsors the annual
    Edgewood Rodeo. The business is committed to investing in the next
    generation by running a butcher apprenticeship program for high school
    and college students. The program covers the students' tuition at
    Hawkeye Community College and allows them to learn the skills of the
    trade by working at Edgewood Locker. Edgewood Locker will celebrate its
    58th anniversary in Iowa later this year.
      Edgewood Locker's entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence
    are clear. I want to congratulate the Kerns family and the entire team
    for their hard work and dedication to providing exceptional products
    and services to families across Iowa. I look forward to seeing their
    continued growth and success.

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