A special group of people will be in Jefferson for a couple of days as part of a Main Street Iowa Spring Workshop.

Jefferson Matters Director Matt Wetrich says they are hosting about 75 representatives of the other Main Street Iowa communities that are coming to Jefferson as a learning opportunity of what has made them be a success and chosen as one of eight semi-finalists for the Great American Main Street Award. Wetrich states that as part of the workshop, their organization has chosen to highlight an upper story apartment project with the CityView Apartments and Chris Deal will be sharing details of how that came together. Then, Peg Raney with Why Not Us will present The Centennial building, along with Jefferson City Administrator Scott Peterson on the city financial programs and utilizing tax increment financing (TIF) funds for projects. 

Another aspect that Wetrich shares is highlighting the famous singer-songwriter Chad Elliott and what made him locate his family and new business to Jefferson, and finally seeing the renovated alleyway spaces. 

Wetrich is excited to see what this group of individuals have to say and ask about as they are all immersed in the Main Street environment.

“I know it’s easy to take it for granted and we see this stuff everyday. But what’s great for us (as Jefferson Matters) is that when we have folks come in from out of town, give us kind of that fresh perspective and recognition of things that are happening. It’s a good reminder of the work that we’re doing here and it’s kind of the same thing with being the Great American Main Street semi-finalist. That really helps remind us that we have been putting our resources in the right direction and are headed down the right path.”  

Wetrich adds that the Main Street Iowa Workshop takes place this coming Tuesday and Wednesday in downtown Jefferson.