In the southeastern corner of Iowa, Mount Pleasant is a community built on hard work, shared values and steady growth. For Fratco, operating a plant in this city has meant becoming part of a place where industry, agriculture and community support all intersect. The partnership between Fratco and Mount Pleasant continues to thrive through mutual respect, local investment and strong relationships.
A Mayor With Deep Roots
Mayor Steve Brimhall has led the city for nearly 16 years and brings decades of experience to the role. A lifelong Iowan, Brimhall’s story mirrors the values of Mount Pleasant itself. Raised on a farm, he was encouraged to pursue education and eventually earned a business degree before being drafted into the military and serving in Vietnam. After returning from service, he earned a master’s degree in secondary education, taught business for a year and then transitioned into banking, where he spent 37 years and served as market president for
U.S. Bank.
His path to local government began with a city council appointment following a tragic event involving the town’s previous mayor. He served on the council for 19 years before becoming mayor, the role he holds today.
I’ve enjoyed it. There are tough days, but it’s worth it to see the progress.
Mayor Steve Brimhall
How Fratco Found Its Place in Mount Pleasant
Fratco’s arrival in Mount Pleasant began with the sale of a local manufacturing building once used for Goodyear-related operations. The facility had been built by a local entrepreneur, also a friend and former teacher of Mayor Brimhall, who eventually sold it to Fratco after his own business closed. That connection helped pave the way for Fratco’s presence in the city, turning a former risk into a long-term investment in the local economy.
The mayor also has a unique connection to Fratco’s Stacie Baccam. Years ago, he hired her to work at the bank. Today, she is the operations manager for the Mount Pleasant location and is involved in the local community, currently serving on the Chamber of Commerce board and set to take over as president in 2026.
“She’s sharp,” Brimhall said. “It’s no surprise she’s running things out there. I knew she wouldn’t be at the bank long with that kind of talent.”
An Employer That Makes an Impact
Fratco’s Mount Pleasant location currently employs about 30 full-time workers, many from the area’s minority population. The company contributes approximately $40,000 annually in property taxes, one-third of which supports the city directly. According to the mayor, the plant provides more than jobs. It helps keep Mount Pleasant’s economy moving through consumer activity and local tax revenue that support streets, sewers and essential infrastructure projects.
From the mayor’s perspective, Fratco’s products also have a direct impact on the community.
“We use plastic pipe all the time in road construction,” he said. “It’s an important product. It helps our roads last longer by getting water away from the concrete. People don’t think about it because it’s underground, but it’s working.”
The mayor also understands the value of drainage pipe from personal experience. His family farms a few hundred acres of Iowa farmland, most of which was drained with clay tile, long before plastic became the industry standard. Though his property uses older material, he recognizes the importance of modern plastic pipe for both farms and city infrastructure.
A Town That Works
The Mount Pleasant plant opened in September 2011, and Brimhall says their impact is visible every day.
Just look at the trucks. You can see the pipe heading out of town on a regular basis. That’s product moving to other communities. It’s a sign that things are working.
Mayor Steve Brimhall
Mount Pleasant is home to around 9,000 residents, with a daytime population that grows thanks to its strong industrial base. In addition to Fratco, the city is supported by employers such as Walmart Distribution, Continental ConTech, Beck’s Hybrids, Sigma, Mid-Am and Lamont Molding, among others. The town also boasts a regional hospital and a range of small businesses, particularly in the historic downtown square.
Although small retail is challenged by online competition, the community still supports antique shops, restaurants, cafes and local services. The city is also actively encouraging growth, both through new developments and support of existing businesses.
“Our philosophy is, if you don’t grow, you die,” said Brimhall. “We want new business, and we do everything we can to support the ones already here.”
A Partnership Built to Last
Mount Pleasant’s location on the Avenue of the Saints, a four-lane corridor connecting Minneapolis and St. Louis, makes it an accessible and attractive place for both industry and families. It offers small-town living with connections to larger markets and a community that values relationships.
The relationship between Fratco and Mount Pleasant is defined not just by business, but by trust. It is built on shared history, a common vision for the future and real connections between people. In a small town, those relationships matter.
“We know each other here,” said Brimhall. “That’s what makes it work.”
Fratco is proud to be part of a community like Mount Pleasant, where progress is earned, neighbors look out for one another and partnerships make the community flourish.
Built to Last
The Karczewskis are proud of what they’ve built. Not the equipment or the projects, but the reputation. They operate within a 20-mile radius, and their local farmers won’t call anyone else. One client even waited two years for them to take on his project.
“We’re perfectionists,” George says. “We don’t cut corners. That’s why people
trust us.”
And despite the long days, the hard clay and the ever-changing economic landscape, both men wouldn’t trade it for anything.
“This is what we love,” George says. “If you’re not doing something you enjoy, life gets boring. This keeps us going. And it’s a blessing to be able to do it with your son.”
As George looks ahead, he knows the work won’t last forever—but the lessons will. “We’re not just laying pipe,” he says. “We’re building a way of life. And if the kids want it one day, it’ll be here waiting.”
