ICCC Dr. Dan Kinney speaking about the career academy
ICCC Dr. Dan Kinney speaking about the career academy

About 75 people attended the Greene County Development Corporation Annual Dinner at the Greene Room events center at Wild Rose in Jefferson.

Attendees heard about several projects including an update on how the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) did when it made an overnight stop this past July in Jefferson. Executive Co-Chair Toni Wetrich announced how much profit they made from the event.

“We made over $10,000 which we’re very proud of and excited about. Our goal was just to break even and we didn’t want to lose money. And we wanted to put on the best tourism event that we could. And we did that and so I thought it was a win-win-win all the way around for us.”

Crowd at the GCDC Annual Dinner
Crowd at the GCDC Annual Dinner

She noted that they are working working the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association to use the funds as matching funds toward grant opportunities to repair portions of the trail that have dipped due to badgers borrowing under the trail.

Attendees also heard from Chris Deal with Pillar Technology. He said their project remains on target to begin construction sometime later this fall or winter, after they close on their buildings at 204-206 East State Street in Jefferson by the end of the month. Deal added that the Forge will also bring 25-30 new jobs to the community.

Iowa Central Community College President Dr. Dan Kinney spoke about the new career academy, which is in conjunction with the new high school, auditorium and gymnasium with the Greene County School District. He pointed out that initially they will offer computer science and programming, agriculture technology, advanced manufacturing, culinary arts, construction and healthcare as the tracks of education. He also talked about using the facility as a regional education center.

Matt (left) and Toni Wetrich (right) talking about RAGBRAI
Matt (left) and Toni Wetrich (right) talking about RAGBRAI

“Business and industrial training. Businesses locally that want some training done by Iowa Central, you don’t have to drive to Fort Dodge, we’re going to bring them right here to Jefferson and keep them here. And then on top of that is our non-credit. What else can we (do) to help continue the education? What can we do to work with the community? That maybe a dance class.”

The final speaker of the evening was Greene County Schools Superintendent Tim Christensen. He spoke about the new high school and making the current high school into the middle school.

In each of the projects, GCDC helped with either financing, support with other resources or connections to aide in the development of each project that President Sid Jones said he was excited to see come to fruition within the next 12-18 months in the county.

 

Greene County Schools Superintendent Tim Christensen talking about the new high school project
Greene County Schools Superintendent Tim Christensen talking about the new high school project
Chris Deal talking about Pillar Technology project
Chris Deal talking about Pillar Technology project