Two downtown buildings in Jefferson will see some new life.

The Jefferson City Council approved at their most recent meeting on January 23rd a $150,000 ten-year forgivable loan to Greg and Shirley Hacker for their business “Courtyard on State Street” at 108 West State Street, east of the Sierra Community Theatre. City Administrator Scott Peterson says some of the plans the Hackers have for the building is hosting large gatherings for conferences, wedding receptions and other types of events. 

“Got a real nice project pending that will update the building and assure that it is sound and stable for decades to come. Nice project and a really nice addition to our downtown area.”   

Peterson says the other economic development agreement for a forgivable loan the Council also approved was for Jacob Keller for $93,000 to relocate his jiu jitsu business, at 105 North Chestnut Street, north of Greater Life Chiropractic that was once purchased by Dr. Philip Heisterkamp in 2022 for a different business opportunity. Peterson points out the Council approved an economic development agreement with Heisterkamp for $75,000. 

“This different business opportunity never came to be. So Phil is going to follow through the n with the sale of this storefront property to Jacob Keller. So the City has issued a forgivable loan to Heisterkamp to assist with the purchase and then with some potential remodel on that. So it’s kind of a unique situation here, but the action then basically just transfers that forgivable loan from Heisterkamp to Jacob Keller.”     

Peterson adds the rest of Heisterkamp’s loan amount was transferred to Keller, with $18,000 of additional funds for drywall work on the interior for the total of $93,000. Peterson adds the both projects have agreements where the amounts the Council approved would be completely forgiven over ten years and as long as the businesses remain operating what they were proposed in the separate agreements.