Local Presenters at State Conference

Saving the Downtown: A Local Approach was the topic of the presentation by City Administrator Mike Palmer, City Building Official Nick Sorensen, and Jefferson Matters: Main Street Director Peg Raney at the Iowa Downtown Conference in Sioux City, Iowa.  Over 40 people attended the session as the trio focused on how Jefferson has utilized local government and the Main Street program to provide resources and incentives to acquire and rehabilitate abandoned and dilapidated buildings.  They shared how the City has acquired vacant buildings and using Tax Increment Financing (TIF), grants and private investment to be successful in downtown Jefferson.  Financial incentives available to property owners to improve their buildings such as the Main Street Mini-Grant program was shared.