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

The meeting started with an update with Nate Steffes of Greater Renewables of Iowa Outdoors. He told the Board the company is looking to move all of its facilities, including Latimer, Audubon and Adel, to Jefferson. They are wanting to increase productivity in solar energy as they mostly do wind recycling currently. GRI is targeting the former Electrolux site and hopes to be ready by next spring. 

The Board then heard an update with Peoples Bank COO John Rigler III and a new housing program. He said from the success of the Highway 144 Corridor Housing Initiative that started this year, they funded 25 of 40 applications for exterior projects to receive up to $1,000. The 144 CHI included communities with Grand Junction, Paton, Rippey and Dana. Rigler III said a new program that’s called Highway 25 Corridor Housing Initiative will include Churdan, Scranton, Coon Rapids, Bayard and Ralston. He hopes to have the 25 CHI mimic the same as the 144 CHI, with one difference that the source of the funding will have to come from other places than the automatic funding to the Greene County municipalities that received Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation funds.  

During reports, it was mentioned that Rowland Construction Company is starting to build three fourplex rental units and eight single family homes by the Jefferson Water Tower. Mary Weaver of Rippey said the town now has complete cell phone coverage through Jefferson Telecom and their pickleball court was recently dedicated and is functioning. 

GCDC Executive Director Ken Paxton said some lots in the East Business Park for the proposed Kading Properties housing projects are being replotted. He mentioned that over 100 people attended their annual event and about 50-60 high school students toured American Athletic Incorporated/Spaulding and Power Lift as part of Manufacturer’s Day.