The Greene County Development Corporation Board met Tuesday in regular session.

GCDC Executive Director Ken Paxton gave a presentation on the idea of the Lincoln Highway Corridor concept. He said Linc Kroger with Accenture has been looking to get technology jobs from the west coast to locate in rural areas. He wants to group together Jefferson, Perry, Boone and Carroll into a region called the Lincoln Highway Corridor. Paxton said Kroger will then go to these tech companies and try to convince them to locate “satellite” offices here of 10-15 jobs, making $80,000-$100,000. The cost to put together a marketing campaign was $12,000, split equally among the communities. The GCDC Board approved the $3,000 expense.

During reports, Greene County School District Superintendent Tim Christensen talked about an apprenticeship program with the new career academy. Christensen asked GCDC about funding for incentives such as rental or moving expenses to keep students who would eventually be offered jobs with a manufacturer if they completed the program and make a full-time wage.

Jefferson Matters: Main Street Program Director Peg Raney reported that 33 people participated in the Available Buildings Tour. She then pointed out that two more mini bell towers are going to be installed at the entryways to the alleys of the downtown square. The next installment of the rooftop art will soon be happening with Tony Sims on top of the Unger Insurance building. The Arch Alley project will be installed on the north alleyway of the square this fall.

Norm Fandel then gave a housing update. He said progress is being made on the Rural Housing 360 program. They are talking with the smaller communities about using the program for their needs and available lots. GCDC will be approaching an organization soon about an available lot for a housing developer in Jefferson for a four-plex project.

Pete Bardole gave an update on the Greene County Chamber and Tourism. He said Board President Lisa Kuhl stepped down due to personal reasons. Vice-President Ian Wilkinson has stepped up to help in the interim.

Greene County Early Learning Center Director Cherie Cerveny gave an update. She said they hired three new employees recently, which dropped their waiting list of kids down from 21 to three. However, she said no decision has been made by their board on whether to renovate the building they are in or build new to expand their current facility.