By 1914, there were already companies in Kalona providing materials for building silos. Long and Dunlap's Cement Block Factory was profiled in a 1911 issue of the Kalona news that stated "A more recent use for cement is in the building of silos, water tanks, well curbings and other circular structures." While these concrete silos provided a useful storage option on individual farms, they didn't provide the commercial grain storage that would help grow local business.