Governor Terry Branstad visited a Guthrie Center company Tuesday. DICA, named after its owners, Dick and Carolyn Koberg, is a company that manufactures outrigger pads and crane mats. The company started in the Koberg’s garage nearly three decades ago and now serves customers in 50 states and six continents. Governor Branstad, impressed with the Koberg’s story, says the state’s digital infrastructure needs to continually improve so more companies can market internationally like DICA is. “One of the things we’re trying to do is get high speed internet to all parts of the state, so that people can market their products and communicate internationally. It’s important for our farmers, with the new equipment they use, and it’s important for companies like this. More and more we’re in a world economy. We have a great work ethic and lots of great ideas coming out of Iowa. This company holds several patents and has more they’re applying for. That’s the future. We need to keep doing what we’re doing to make sure Iowa stays as competitive as possible.”

Branstad told the two dozen area business leaders in attendance that having a residence seven miles away at Lake Panorama, allows him to have a special relationship with Guthrie Center and Guthrie County.