Putting Greene County residents “in the know” about the growth coming to the county in the next year or two is the purpose of an old-fashioned town hall meeting slated for Monday, Aug. 18, at the Greene County Community Center in Jefferson. The meeting will begin at 6 pm in the gymnasium. There’s so much going on Greene County, with so much at stake, Paxton hopes to fill the gym with interested people.
The purpose of the meeting is to share information with the entire community about plans, opportunities and needs related to the large increase in new jobs coming to Greene County. With an expansion already underway at Scranton Manufacturing, another Bauer manufacturing plant being built in Paton, Wild Rose Casino slated to open a year from now, and a groundbreaking soon on a Hy-Vee grocery store, there will be hundreds of new jobs to fill.
“We are fortunate to have this growth, but we need to be prepared to maximize this opportunity so we can grow our population and attract new families to our community,” said Greene County Development Corp executive director Ken Paxton.
The meeting is the place to learn what’s true and what’s rumor, making it easier for residents to see how they personally might be able to benefit from the growth, whether it be a new job or a change in housing due to the accompanying boon is the housing market. Just as importantly, the meeting will make residents informed promoters of Greene County as they talk with friends or relatives who may be thinking of relocating here.
A panel of local planners and residents committed to economic growth will present a wide range of information related to maximizing growth in the county. Topics to be covered will include
- A general overview of current projects, new jobs, and the Greene County marketing plan by Paxton;
- An update on housing, including the need for sale and rental properties, housing projects, and local incentives available by Jefferson city council housing committee member Lisa Jaskey;
- The need for child care facilities by a Greene County Early Learning Center board member;
- Needs and opportunities in the areas of skilled trades by Todd Spencer of Iowa Workforce Development;
- Business opportunities around the courthouse square by Jefferson Matters: Main Street program director Alan Robinson;
- An update on Home Base Iowa and the incentive package for veterans and new residents by Greene County labor task force member Jim Andrew;
- An update on Wild Rose Jefferson by Wild Rose management;
- An update on the Hy-Vee grocery store project;
- An update on the Greene County Medical Center expansion/renovation project by medical center CEO Carl Behne;
- An update on Greene County Chamber by Chamber executive director Chris Henning; and
- A question and answer period if time allows.
Visit the Greene County Chamber and Development website or the Greene County Development Corp website to learn more.
