Highland Medical Group: Building Renovation
Another downtown building in Jefferson has seen a meaningful transformation, one that blends education, partnership, and economic development.
The former Prairie Lakes AEA building has taken on new life and is now home to the Highland Medical Groupbuilding, adding fresh energy and purpose to the downtown district.
A Classroom Meets Real-World Development
One of the most unique parts of this project happened on the upper floor. Greene County High School’s construction class partnered with Prairie Lakes AEA to design and build an apartment in the building’s top level. The idea came from a proposal by Colby Aspengren, who presented a design focused on creating a functional living space downtown.
Prairie Lakes AEA committed $25,000 to the project, with an additional $10,000 contributed by the Greene County Development Corporation. A Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant was submitted in 2017 and awarded $35,500, helping move the project forward.
Renovation Timeline
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2007
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2018
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2018
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2018
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2019
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2021
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2025
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2019
Hands-On Learning With Lasting Impact
Over the next two years, students worked on the apartment during class time, gaining hands-on experience with a real-world renovation project. Chad Morman served as the construction instructor when the project began, and Kirk Davis was hired during the 2018 school year. As with many renovations, the design evolved along the way, giving students valuable experience adapting plans and problem-solving in an existing structure.
Local contractors also worked alongside the students to help complete the apartment, which was finished in late summer. Prairie Lakes AEA continues to own the building and apartment and plans to rent out the space, contributing to downtown housing options.
Supporting Downtown Growth
In 2025, the building welcomed another exciting chapter. Highland Medical Staffing, located downtown, was a recipient of the Jefferson Wants You Incentive Fund, receiving a $5,000 grant from Jefferson Matters. The incentive fund supports new and growing businesses as they invest in Jefferson and contribute to the local economy.
A Model for Collaboration
This building’s transformation is a strong example of what collaboration can accomplish. By bringing together education, economic development, local contractors, and public-private funding, a former office building now serves multiple purposes and supports both workforce development and downtown vitality.
Projects like this show how Jefferson continues to invest in its buildings, its people, and its future, one transformation at a time.