Governor Kim Reynolds traveled to Jefferson Friday afternoon to see a potential housing project. 

Developer Nate Adams is hoping to convert the former Greene County Middle School three-story building into 25 apartments. The rentals range from 500-square foot studios to 1,400 square foot three bedroom lofts. Adams has been working on this project for over three years and Reynolds announced a $600,000 Downtown Housing Grant through Iowa Economic Development Authority, of which the project was a recipient. Reynolds talked about what she thought of the overall project.

“First of all the collaboration of all the entities. This is a community with a ‘can do’ attitude and they figured out a way to bring everybody together, and put a plan in place. So they were kind of ahead of the game which really is a benefit, I think to the community again and their ability to get things done. As costs continue to rise and we have more communities looking at doing this, you’re ahead of where they are, so that’s probably going to be helpful too. So kudos to what they’re doing in the leadership.”       

The property is still owned by the Greene County School District with an agreement to demolish the gymnasium once funding is secured for the over $7 million project. The final funding portion that Adams is waiting for is the state historical tax credits, which should be announced sometime later this fall.