Jefferson Matters: Main Street’s Business Improvement Committee will be hosting another “Business After Hours” event next week.

Program Director Alan Robinson says the special guest speaker will be the director of Main Street Manning, Colleen Nelson.  She will be talking about how their program used the Community Development Block Grant to help revitalize some of their downtown storefronts.

He states that since Jefferson Matters was established as a Main Street community in 2012, about 10-12 storefronts on the downtown square have taken advantage of the design assistance program with Main Street Iowa and he points out other aspects that have taken place.

“Some of the buildings have actually gone out there and done some improvement.  I know the Lincoln Building did some work on the side of their building with tuck-pointing.  The Sierra (Community) Theatre has done some work too, that didn’t come out of our design assistance, but I know have perhaps one building that’s ready to start with a rehab and then we have a couple others said they’re ready to start on some project work in the summer.”

He’s looking at different types of ways to enhance the historical district of Jefferson and this event will help with that.

Robinson invites everyone to the free event from 5-7pm at the Jefferson Elk’s Lodge.  Light hors d’oeuvres will also be served.  For more information call 386-3585.