The Jefferson City Council met in regular session on Tuesday.

Greene County Development Corporation Interim Executive Director Michelle Book provided an update with the organization. She stated that former Executive Director Ken Paxton left GCDC in May and the board reviewed options such as merging with another non-profit organization, hiring a new executive director, or looking for a collaborative partner. 

Book said that during the July 3rd meeting, GCDC agreed to enter into a collaboration with Ames Regional Economic Alliance (AREA). She explained that the AREA Board would have to approve the agreement at their meeting tomorrow, and then the partnership would become official on August 4th. 

Book details that AREA will be offering economic, website, and social media support, along with business engagement and development, and housing. She confirmed that AREA has named an Executive Director, Greg Piklapp. Book says she’s interviewing three local providers for bookkeeping and accounting support. She adds that she plans to serve the rest of her interim term until the end of August, to help with the transition of Piklapp. 

Items on the agenda that were approved included a resolution for a partial amount of $60,000 towards a forgivable loan and authorize forgiveness of remaining loan balance for the Sensibly Chic Building to be sold to an investor, then a resolution for a United States Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Grant for the airport improvement project funding of $300,000, and a second fund for the airport on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for $281,000, and a resolution to transfer fiscal year 2025 funds and close fund accounts as presented.