The Iowa Economic Development Authority Director made a stop in Jefferson Tuesday afternoon to talk about some changes to tax credits and other programs.

IEDA Director Debi Durham was addressing new incentives with the recent change from the Iowa Legislature that took the state from an uncompetitive tax environment to a more competitive model. She said they have more targeted incentives to attract businesses to Iowa, while also trying to instill higher quality jobs.

“We’ve actually tested that in the marketplace. You know, we’ve been on some trade missions both internationally and into other states, and we met with site selectors, which is – in my world – kind of how a lot of these deals are done, and they really liked the new incentive programs. So I’m pretty excited. It rolls out in January (of 2026).”  

Following her presentation, Durham took tours of two current construction projects, including The Public House pub and restaurant, as well as the Jeffersonian apartment complex, with the former middle school conversion project. Durham is familiar with the process of taking old school buildings and refurbishing them into apartments, which she gave her thoughts on what that can do for a community.

“I honestly believe, and there’s always naysayers with anything like this, I honestly believe when it’s done and they see it, and they see more and more individuals and families live in downtown and supporting, I think that they’ll all say, ‘Wow, this is the right thing to do.’ Otherwise, what are you going to do, have a parking lot or a green space? We need greenspace, but I think it’s the right thing to do.”  

Durham makes trips to rural communities two to three times per week to get the information out about their new incentive programs.