The Greene County Development Corporation met Tuesday in regular session.

The meeting began with Jefferson RAGBRAI Volunteer Chair Sherry Graven asking for more volunteer help when about 30,000 bike riders stop in Jefferson on July 23rd as part of the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) event. To be a volunteer, contact Graven at the Greene County Engineer’s office at 386-5650.

During reports, Jefferson City Administrator Mike Palmer noted that the wayfinding poles have been installed, but the directional signs will not be in place before RAGBRAI happens. Jefferson Matters: Main Street Program Director Peg Raney mentioned that ten people were involved in a mock business recruitment exercise with an individual who pretended to represent a brewery. The exercise was to get the brewery to locate to Jefferson. Finally under reports, GCDC President Sid Jones mentioned that they are working on establishing private funds to use as a revolving loan for developers to be incentivized to build houses.

GCDC Executive Director Ken Paxton then gave his report. He said the Vision 2020 Steering Committee will meet this Monday to go over the final project plans of Vision 2020. He also has informational brochures and signs ready to promote empty downtown buildings in Jefferson during the RAGBRAI event. He also talked about being one of the key speakers at this year’s Iowa Area Development Group Conference to be held next month. He will be talking about the Vision 2020 projects as part of the Building Community Vitality breakout session.