[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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