Greene County Development Corporation Board met in regular session Tuesday.

The meeting began with several community updates. Jefferson Building Official Chad Stevens mentioned the City Council approved selling its final downtown building, the former AirTemp location, to Philip and Bridgette Heisterkamp for a new healthy eating establishment and Heritage Insurance. He also said the animal shelter building is now being installed in the GCDC west business park. 

Greene County Medical Center CEO Chad Butterfield announced a new program to better serve individuals who need to be seen by a medical provider. 

“A week or ten days ago (we) started an initiative for same day appointments. So if you want to be seen today, we’ll get you in today, that hasn’t always been the case. We’re still running the respiratory clinic but we’re now trying to make sure that if you call today, we’re going to get you in today. If it’s late enough in the day where we can’t get you in today, we’re going to get you an appointment for tomorrow morning.”    

Butterfield added that last week for five days, there were 65 appointments that were scheduled. 

Greene County ISU Extension Director Lori Mannel mentioned hiring Greene County native Samantha Hardaway as the new Extension 4-H and Youth Coordinator. 

Executive Director Ken Paxton reported that they didn’t receive an initial grant with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for future expenses with the Greene County Diversity Project. However, the steering committee continues to meet with organizations and employers about attracting the Latino population to work and live in Greene County. 

Paxton is also continuing to work with Greene County Veterans Affairs Director Michael Bierl on the Home Base Iowa initiative. He reports that so far four veterans have been hired locally, using portions of their program.