Success Story: Prestage Foods of Iowa - Building Workforce Resilience Through Iowa's 260E Program

Anna Woodward
1/28/2026

Prestage Foods of Iowa, a pork production plant, is a vital employer in Eagle Grove, Iowa (population 3,615) and the surrounding region. It currently employs approximately 1,100 team members, making it one of the largest economic drivers in the area. Its success ripples throughout the local economy, supporting families, small businesses, and community growth.

Prestage Foods of Iowa produces premium pork products, serving both domestic and international markets. Recent innovations include marinated meats to supply consumer demand for convenient, flavorful options. This product diversification requires a highly skilled workforce to maintain quality and efficiency in production.

The Iowa 260E Industrial New Jobs Training Program has been instrumental in supporting growth.

“I don’t think people realize the amount of help 260 programs can be. The funds in the 260 program are so helpful to a business in the first few years,” explained Sarah Hruska, Director of Human Resources. “This program isn’t just a tax incentive—it reinvests in communities through wages for employees, trainers, local businesses, and local colleges.”

By partnering with Iowa Central Community College, Prestage Foods of Iowa has streamlined training, sourced instructors, and coordinated schedules more efficiently by having a regional partner that is able to understand its needs on a local level. Iowa’s Industrial New Jobs Training (260E) program allowed Prestage Foods of Iowa to implement internal leadership development and specialized programs such as a maintenance testing initiative, which is a pay-for-performance-based program that invests in employee training

Over a 10-year period, the program has provided over $4 million in front-loaded training dollars, repaid through Iowa’s income withholding tax. The program invokes a self-sustaining investment model in which up to 3% of the employee’s income tax withholding —is reinvested directly into company training, ensuring long-term success even during financially lean times.

“260 programs are intended for long-term success,” Hruska added.

By prioritizing workforce development, Prestage Foods of Iowa is not only growing its business—it is strengthening Iowa’s economy and creating replicable training solutions for the entire industry. Its success story demonstrates how strategic investment in people and regional partnerships can transform a small town into a hub of innovation and opportunity.

Ready to Strengthen Your Workforce?

If your business is looking to upskill employees, improve safety, and build resilience, now is the time to explore Iowa’s 260 programs.

Contact Iowa Central Community College Economic Development team to learn how customized training can transform your workforce. Invest in your team today—because resilience starts with preparation.