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ABOUT GCDC |
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Goals
Greene County Development Corporation (GCDC) was created to encourage a proactive business environment, resulting in diversified and balanced growth in the county's economic base. GCDC is focused primarily on providing assistance to all communities in Greene County in addressing development needs and opportunities. The organization additionally supports initiatives of countywide significance, including workforce development, community development, tourism and housing. |
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Accomplishments/Success Stories
GCDC has significantly increased the tax base of Greene County, and helped provide quality jobs for area residents. Most recently, the organization spearheaded the successful effort to locate the new technical center of Caleris, Inc., in Jefferson. Caleris selected Jefferson from among the more than 15 Iowa communities that the company originally considered.
In the past year GCDC helped West Central Cooperative locate its new SoyChlor dairy feed additive manufacturing facility in Jefferson. Working with its regional partner development organization, Midwest Partnership, GCDC has worked to secure grant and loan funds for several Greene County employers: Bauer Built Manufacturing of Paton, American Athletic, Inc., (AAI) of Jefferson, MicroSoy Corporation of Jefferson, Power Lift of Jefferson, Scranton Manufacturing of Scranton, and others, including several current prospects.
With the expertise and experience of local consultant Carla Offenburger, GCDC has taken a lead in marketing the tourism potential of the 75-mile Raccoon River Valley Trail, which starts at the historic Milwaukee Railroad depot in Jefferson. Other recent projects have included generating the creation of the new Greene County Early Learning Center and, jointly with the City of Jefferson, developing the community's Downtown Streetscape Project.
GCDC shares office staff with the Jefferson Area Chamber of Commerce. Working as one of the three counties of Midwest Partnership (together with Guthrie and Adair Counties) and its professional regional staff, GCDC markets the region as the next tier west of the Des Moines metro area and Iowa State University at Ames. GCDC also represents Greene County in the seven-county Western Iowa Advantage partnership, which this year received one of Iowa's sizable regional marketing grants.
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Director Profile
 Rick Morain, GCDC's executive director, is a lifelong Greene County resident who also holds the position of editor-publisher of the Bee and Herald, Jefferson's newspapers. He holds an associate in arts degree from Graceland University, a bachelor's degree in American civilization from the University of Iowa, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in American studies from Yale University. Morain is active in a number of local non-profit organizations, and serves on the boards of Iowans for a Better Future, the Iowa Community Vitality Center, and Northern Great Plains, Inc., all non-profits seeking to improve the economy and quality of life in Iowa and the Upper Midwest.
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