A downtown project in Jefferson received much needed funding to help restore a historic building.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority awarded East State Street Properties, for the I.O.O.F. Commercial Block (or 204-206 East State Street) $423,652 through the State Historic Preservation Tax Program. It is for Pillar Technology’s “The Forge” project to renovate the current space into an office space and an academy program with the goal of hiring individuals who will make between $60,000-$75,000 for the software development company.

Jefferson was one of only seven projects that received a portion of the $23 million in historic preservation tax credits, and the amount that the group was awarded was the smallest amount. Other projects included a hotel, an educational/museum building, mixed use buildings and a residential project.

Pillar Technology officials anticipate having the Jefferson Forge open by May of 2019.