Editing Newton, Iowa (section)

===Maytag and the era of growth===
In the 20th century, Newton was a manufacturing community, much of its growth derived from the [[washing machine]] industry. Its most distinctive landmark, the Jasper County Courthouse, was built in 1911.

Newton entered the national stage in 1938 when martial law was declared during a strike at the [[Maytag|Maytag Washing Machine Company]]. Iowa governor [[Nelson Kraschel]] ordered the [[Iowa Army National Guard|Iowa National Guard]] to protect the company with tanks and machine guns ready against the workers. With the backing of four troops (companies) of the [[113th Cavalry Regiment]],<ref>Steven E. Clay, ''U.S. Army Order of Battle 1919–1941'', Fort Leavenworth: Combat Studies Institute Press, p. 635.</ref> Maytag company beat the strike and forced workers to return to work with a 10% pay cut.

At the conclusion of World War II, the Maytag Washing Machine Company expanded its operations in Newton, becoming the [[Maytag Corporation]]. Known for its dependable line of washing machines and clothes dryers, the company later persuaded the town of Newton to change the name of its headquarters address in the city to "One Dependability Square."<ref>''Maytag's Brand Blunder'', BrandCultureTalk.com, January 9, 2009</ref> In 2001, a decision to cut labor costs resulted in a reduction of the labor force at the Newton plant in favor of newer Maytag facilities in Mexico.<ref>Pitt, David, ''Moves to Mexico Fuel Fears at Maytag'', Deseret News (Salt Lake City), August 6, 2003</ref> Layoffs at the Newton plant continued through 2005. Whirlpool's acquisition of Maytag in early 2006 led to speculation over the future of Maytag operations in Newton. On May 10, 2006, Whirlpool announced that it would close the Newton plant and corporate offices in the fall of 2007. The plant employed about 1,000 workers and the corporate offices employed about 800 at the time of the announcement.

In January 2007, Whirlpool said in a statement that it sold most of the Maytag headquarters complex to [[Iowa Telecommunications Services]] Inc., a Newton-based telephone company which would use the complex to consolidate employees in a single location.

[[File:Maytaghqnight.jpg|thumb|left|Former headquarters of the [[Maytag Corporation]], sold to Newton Enterprises in April 2012]]Although the company did not disclose financial details, Newton economic development officials said Iowa Telecom paid $1.5&nbsp;million for the buildings assessed at more than $12&nbsp;million.<ref>Ryberg Bill, Donnelle Eller, and Jennifer Jacobs. – "Maytag to Close: What it Means to Newton". – ''[[The Des Moines Register]]''. – May 10, 2006.</ref> The Maytag plant officially ended production on October 25, 2007.<ref>{{cite news|first=William|last=Ryberg|title=Production ends at Maytag|work=The Des Moines Register|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071025/BUSINESS/71025022/1001&lead=1|date=October 25, 2007}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>