Small Town, Tech Hub

Jefferson has rediscovered rural living, and our tech integration is just one way that we’ve done it! With all homes, businesses, and rural farmsteads in the surrounding area having high-speed fiber internet, partnering with Silicon Valley leaders to bring technology education into our schools and community, and offering a space for remote workers to thrive, it’s no wonder Jefferson has made its mark on the map as a small town, tech hub! 

Technology Advancement Milestones

 

Continuous Tech Advancements

for Our Youth

 

In Jefferson, we believe in investing in our youth because they are our future – and so is technology. It’s a perfect match! One way we have made this investment is by integrating computer science into our Greene County Community School District curriculum. 

Kindergarten - 8th-grade students have hands-on computer science curriculum integration that is instructed by a specific Computer Science teacher. Students at the high school have access to the courses offered by high school teaching staff as well as courses offered through the Greene County Career Academy. The Computer Science/Programming pathway offered through the Career Academy has been developed in close coordination between Iowa Central Community College and Silicon Valley companies to identify the most important skills for a successful tech career. Students of Greene County CSD have access to some of the best computer science training in the state! 

Once students complete their coursework at the Career Academy, they have the option to enroll in the Forge Academy, located at The Forge right here in Jefferson! This training program has been created by Accenture, owner of The Forge, and is designed to prepare rural Iowa students for high-demand software development jobs anywhere in the world.

The training program is entirely tuition-free and includes a 5 month paid internship followed by a one-year apprenticeship with Accenture.

Students who participate in this career pathway can be employed in the software development industry immediately after high school, paid for 1-1/2 years of training, and start full-time employment - with no college debt - in one of the most in-demand (and well-compensated!) careers in today's economy! 

In addition, for our students to have the best technology education, we must make sure our teaching staff is invested in. Teaching staff have experienced unique educational development to help prepare them to provide students with next generation skills, including a training experience where representatives of the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose flew to Jefferson. 

 

Technology Advancements

for Anyone!

For those individuals who do not have the opportunity to take the Greene County Career Academy coursework, have no fear! There is now a pathway that has been created for you to get into the software development industry. Coursework is available through Iowa Central Community College and Des Moines Area Community College to learn the basic skills necessary to enter Accenture's Forge Academy.

In addition to this amazing opportunity, there are many scholarships that exist to offset the costs of this training! If you have an interest in technology and are looking to grow and develop in the industry, we highly recommend looking into these community colleges.

  • Gravitate Coworking

    Remote working is more common than ever these days, but we all know how hard it can be to stay focused at home. Gravitate Coworking (Jefferson) opened in 2021 and allows people to find their productive happy place!

    With fast wifi, meeting rooms, free coffee, phone booths and so much more, you will find a warm welcoming environment to propel you both personally & professionally. Become a Gravi-member and be part of a community of diverse freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote workers that have come together in a beautiful way.

  • The Forge

    The Forge opened in 2019 and was created to provide a tech training center designed to help grow and retain tech talent in rural Iowa.

    With the help of Pillar Technology (now Accenture), Silicon Valley leaders, community support and so many others, this idea was brought to life right here in Jefferson! In addition to The Forge opening, Accenture launched a software development training program in collaboration with Greene County Community School District / Career Academy and local community colleges.

Did you know?

There is an incentive program that allows you to receive a FREE floating workspace membership at Gravitate Coworking for 1 year!

Jefferson Matters: A Main Street & Chamber Community, alongside local banking institutions, utility companies, and Grow Greene County, is offering the incentive program, called “Jefferson Wants You” right now, so if you are someone who is interested in the Gravitate Coworking space and could utilize it at least 3 days a week this could be an AMAZING opportunity for you! 

 

All you have to do is follow these 3 easy steps:

  1. Be a remote worker planning to, or currently residing in Jefferson or Greene County.

  2. Fill out the Jefferson Wants You Incentive Fund Application for Remote Workers form. A Spanish version is available here.

  3. Submit your completed application and any attachments via email, or mail your printed application and attachments to: 201 E Lincoln Way, Jefferson, IA 50129

Someone from the selection committee will be in touch with you soon!

We hope you are able to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Funds are given based on availability so be sure to not wait and apply today!

 
 

Technology Community
of the Year - 2020

 
 

In 2020, Jefferson, Iowa was awarded the Technology Community of the Year Award through The Technology Association of Iowa’s Prometheus Awards presented by LWBJ. The most prestigious recognition for Iowa's technology industry, The Prometheus Awards acknowledges individuals and companies impacting Iowa’s technology industry. Winners of this award epitomize great talent, solidifying Iowa's reputation as a technology state.