Iowa Republican Governor Kim Reynolds and Republican 4th District Congressman Steve King attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony this (Tuesday) morning, at the new, Waspy’s Truck Stop off Highway 71, just south of Audubon. The $18-million dollar project includes the Feed Mill Restaurant and Blue Grass Inn and Suites. Governor Reynolds spoke about the facility as being the Lawrence Handlos family’s dedication to their community and their continued efforts to make a difference through their success story. She said “They’re farmers with an entrepreneurial spirit, small business owners who are driven to excel, and family members who are bonded through a common vision.” Lawrence Handlos said his concept for the property turned out to be bigger than he envisioned. He said all he really wanted was a truck wash. But then he thought people might want food and a place to stay. The truck wash hasn’t opened yet, but is expected to be available this Fall.

Reynolds said Waspy’s is more than just a 16-acre truck stop, restaurant and Inn, it’s a job creator and an economic engine and tourism destination. She says that’s a big deal, because tourism generates about $8.2-billion to the State’s economy. 17-percent of spending in Iowa is travel-related, and 20-percent is spent on food. “Waspy’s is filling an important niche for local residents and busy travelers to our great State.” She said families like the Handlos’ are the backbone of rural Iowa.

Congressman Steve King also echoed the theme of family in the “miraculous way” the project came together on what used to be “Just a hill.” Now, he said, it’s a destination location. He said “I think about the Sunday dinners that people are going to drive from maybe an hour away, here. Then they’ll come back again and again and again.” They’ll drive out of their way use the car wash or restaurant.” King, whose family has an earth-moving/under ground utilities business, spoke of the massive undertaking it took to build the facility. He said 200-thousand cubic yards of dirt were moved, multiple loads of concrete, 250-tons or 10 semi-loads of rebar were used in the construction, and 16-thousand cubic yards of concrete, or about 1,800 cement trucks.”

King Construction also handled 6,850-feet of underground piping. He said it takes a family to pull such a large project together. He said also, “This is a wonderful and beautiful model of the American Dream.” King said a new tax bill coming out in the next couple of months could eliminate the so-called “Death Tax” (estate tax), because it “Is a direct tax on the American Dream.”