Resources for Businesses & Building Owners
Whether you’re starting a business, growing an existing one, or investing in a downtown building, there are a lot of tools available to help, and you don’t have to navigate them alone. This page brings together trusted Main Street Iowa, state, and local resources that support business growth, marketing, design, and economic vitality in Jefferson.
Many of these programs are free or low-cost and are available because Jefferson is a designated Main Street Iowa community.
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If you would like to access the slides and information from a Main Street Iowa online training with Robin Bostrom on how to claim your business on Google for free, click the link below.
Claim and verify your business listing
Improve visibility in Google Search and Maps
Manage business information and updates
👉 Link:Get Your Business Online
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IASourceLink connects entrepreneurs and small businesses to a statewide network of more than 350 resource organizations that help businesses grow and succeed in Iowa. This free website is provided through the Iowa Economic Development Authority in collaboration with UNI’s Center for Business Growth and Innovation.
IASourceLink is a great starting point if you are:
Exploring a new business idea
Looking to expand
Unsure where to find the right help
👉 Website:IASourceLink.com
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Starting or expanding your business is hard. Finding help shouldn’t be.
The Business Concierge provides free, personalized business intelligence and connects you to a trusted network of experts to help your business grow. You can reach them by phone, email, or online.
Competitor sales figures
Financial benchmarking metrics
The Business Concierge is a program of UNI’s Center for Business Growth and Innovation, in partnership with IASourceLink.
👉 Link:Business Concierge
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Jefferson Matters welcomes new businesses into our Main Street District and surrounding community. We work closely with the Greene County Development Corporation, City of Jefferson, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority to provide incentives and resources.
This section includes local and state opportunities for funding, along with contact information if you would like more details.
If you have questions, contact:
Matt Wetrich, Executive Director
📞 515-386-2155
✉️ director@jeffersonmatters.org👉 Link: Incentives for Economic Vitality in Jefferson (2022)
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Because Jefferson is a Main Street Iowa community, one applicant per year may be selected to apply for up to $100,000 in matching grant funds through Main Street Iowa.
Key details:
Building must be located in Jefferson’s Main Street District
One applicant selected annually by the Economic Vitality Team
Priority given to upper-story housing with a traffic-generating first-floor business
👉 Informational Video
👉 Recent Challenge Grant Recipients: Blog -
Main Street Iowa design consultants Maia Fiala Jessen and Sarah Lembke provide updated handouts on downtown revitalization and historic preservation. These easy-to-understand resources explain best practices for maintaining and improving buildings in the Main Street District.
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Have a great business idea or plans to expand an existing business in downtown Jefferson? The Open 4 Business contest offers up to $28,000 in grant funding to support business development or expansion projects.
Program highlights:
Businesses must be located in a state-designated Main Street district
Applicants submit an online application and short video
25 percent cash match required
Business must have been in operation for at least one year
One local business is selected to represent Jefferson at the state level
For full details, contact:
✉️ director@jeffersonmatters.org
or
Robin Bostrom
Business Specialist, Iowa Downtown Resource Center/Main Street Iowa
📞 515-348-6176
✉️ robin.bostrom@iowaEDA.com -
ShopIowa.com offers retailers a way to try online selling with reduced risk. The State of Iowa covers the monthly fee for the first year, making it a great opportunity for online exposure.
This platform is especially useful for:
Retailers testing e-commerce
Dining and attractions
Gift card sales
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Main Street Iowa staff hosted a professional development workshop focused on social media for small businesses. The following handouts are available for businesses looking to improve their digital marketing efforts.
Available Resources:
How to Create a YouTube Channel
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Do you have that entrepreneurial drive to start your own business? Or do you currently have a business and are looking to expand? Maybe you have a specific skill set and are looking to take over an existing business? Whatever your entrepreneurial fancy is, “Jefferson Wants You”!
Become a part of Jefferson’s business hub and start your entrepreneurial journey with us today! We know starting a business can be a lot of work so we’re here to offer a helping hand!
Learn more: Grant Opportunities