Whether you’re a local business ready to expand or a company looking to invest in a dynamic new region, GCDC is your partner in success.
HCGP connects businesses with a range of local, state, and federal incentive programs designed to support expansion, relocation, and new investment.
HCGP connects businesses with a range of local, state, and federal incentive programs designed to support expansion, relocation, and new investment.
HCGP connects businesses with a range of local, state, and federal incentive programs designed to support expansion, relocation, and new investment.
Greene County offers shovel-ready land, strategic locations, and pro-development communities eager to grow. From highway-adjacent parcels to industrial park expansions, our team can connect you to the site that meets your needs.
We’re actively working to certify additional acreage and are ready to assist with site selection, zoning, and infrastructure discussions.
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Looking for move-in-ready space? Greene County has a variety of available buildings—from retail storefronts and flex space to warehousing and office. We maintain an up-to-date list of properties and connect businesses directly with local brokers and community leaders.
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Jefferson, a Central Iowa community known for its strong downtown and proximity to major corridors, is strategically partnering with the Ames Regional Economic Alliance (AREA). This partnership allows Jefferson’s local development group to gain AREA’s expert support in areas like workforce, housing, and business retention, amplifying the county’s success by leveraging a broader regional network.
The role of the IDM in Greene County (and throughout Iowa) is to provide tailored, implementation-focused assistance to local economic development groups like the Greene County Development Corporation (GCDC). This typically involves providing applied research, planning, technical training, and strategy guidance to help the county’s leaders and volunteers make informed decisions, improve organizational effectiveness, and achieve long-term economic vitality.
Iowa State University’s ISU Extension and Outreach office in Jefferson directly supports Greene County by delivering research-based knowledge and educational programs in agriculture, community development, and youth initiatives like 4-H. Additionally, ISU’s specialized centers like CIRAS provide businesses with expertise and resources for growth, helping drive local economic and workforce development.
The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) supports Jefferson and Greene County primarily through the Institute for Decision Making (IDM), its economic development outreach unit. The IDM provides implementation-focused planning, technical assistance, and strategy guidance to local groups like the Greene County Development Corporation to enhance community economic vitality.
The University of Iowa (UI) extends its support to Greene County and Jefferson primarily through its health and outreach programs, unlike the direct economic development focus of the other state universities. UI Health Care specialists travel to local hospitals to provide specialty care and consults, increasing access to high-level medical expertise for rural residents. Furthermore, the UI focuses on rural community vitality through initiatives like the Prevention Research Center for Rural Health, which develops and shares resources on public health and mental health for small-town Iowans.
Iowa Central Community College’s most significant partnership in Jefferson is the Greene County Career Academy, a joint venture providing high school students with college-level career pathways in fields like welding, healthcare, and culinary arts. This academy, located in Jefferson’s new high school, delivers both college credit and industry certifications to build a skilled local workforce for the county’s businesses.
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) supports Jefferson and Greene County by offering accessible post-secondary education and training as a regional workforce development partner. The college provides transfer degrees and career programs at its nearby campuses (like Boone and Carroll), and partners with local companies to deliver customized training to the existing workforce, serving as a direct catalyst for economic growth.
The Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) is a statewide association for economic development professionals, which includes staff from Greene County Development Corporation. PDI supports Jefferson by providing networking, professional education, and legislative advocacy that strengthens the entire economic development field across the state.
The Iowa Area Development Group (IADG) is the economic development organization for over 150 of Iowa’s rural electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, and independent telecommunication companies. IADG supports Jefferson and Greene County by providing professional expertise in site selection, financial incentive packaging, and business attraction to facilitate investment and job creation on behalf of its member utilities.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority’s mission is to strengthen economic and community vitality by building partnerships and leveraging resources to make Iowa the choice for people and business. Through two main divisions – business development and community development – IEDA administers several state and federal programs to meet its goals of assisting individuals, communities and businesses. IEDA works to achieve its mission and goals to benefit Iowans while maintaining a high level of transparency.
Greene County Community School District (GCCSD) is a vital partner, serving as the primary educational institution that develops the future workforce for Jefferson and Greene County. The district’s most significant collaborative effort is hosting the Greene County Career Academy (in partnership with Iowa Central Community College), which provides high school students with career and technical education in high-demand local fields. Additionally, GCCSD often partners with the Greene County Development Corporation and local businesses to align its curriculum with current and future local workforce needs.
Paton-Churdan Community Schools (PCCS) is a key educational partner for the Jefferson/Greene County area, serving as a primary provider of education and future workforce development for the northern part of the county. The district often collaborates with the Greene County Community School District (GCCSD) on shared educational resources, and its partnership with Iowa Central Community College (ICCC) helps its students access Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways. By focusing on K-12 education, PCCS contributes directly to the quality of life and the talent pipeline essential for local economic development efforts.
Region XII Council of Governments was organized in 1973 to assist local governments in Audubon, Carroll, Crawford, Greene, Guthrie, and Sac Counties in western Iowa.
Although originally chartered to serve grant writing and planning needs for the area, the COG has grown into the agency that facilitates multi-community collaboration and development of all types, providing initiatives in the region that are needed and otherwise not provided. Region XII COG has two departments:
Through the Local Assistance Department, the COG provides technical assistance to communities in the areas of planning, infrastructure, transportation, housing, grant writing, recreation, ordinances, zoning, economic development, and other community and county projects. The COG also provides the Iowa Waste Exchange service, which provides Iowa industries with smart waste management alternatives and helps reduce waste into Iowa landfills.
Western Iowa Transit (WIT) is a demand-response public transit system that serves our counties. WIT offers door-to-door transportation with flexible schedules to meet the needs of its riders. Service is provided with over 60 buses, vans, and cars for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and the general public. WIT also has contracts with many area nursing homes, sheltered workshops, and schools to provide transportation.
The COG also staffs Western Iowa Advantage, which is a multi-county collaborative marketing effort and the Region XII Development Corporation, which has several revolving loan funds for business development and expansion.
Manufacturing plays a central role in Greene County’s economy, with several companies producing goods recognized worldwide. Power Lift and AAI/Spalding are two standout manufacturers whose athletic and gymnastic equipment is used by professionals, colleges, and even Olympic athletes. Other key manufacturers include B&D Manufacturing, a geothermal equipment producer, and agriculturally based firms such as Syngenta and Landus Cooperative, which reflect the county’s strong agricultural roots.
The area is also home to innovative and growing industrial leaders. Scranton Manufacturing produces New Way refuse equipment for global markets, while Bauer Built in Paton partners with John Deere, a world-leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery and technology, to produce advanced planter bars and other precision components, reinforcing Greene County’s reputation for agricultural innovation, high-quality craftsmanship, and contributions to cutting-edge farming solutions.
In addition to manufacturing and agriculture, Greene County supports a strong technology and communications sector through locally owned Jefferson Telecom. The company provides fiber optic internet, cellular, and wireless services, as well as a modern video conferencing center housed in the renovated Lincoln Hotel Building downtown. This blend of advanced infrastructure, entrepreneurial spirit, and community collaboration makes Greene County a competitive and attractive location for businesses of all sizes.
