In 2017, the Grundy County Development Alliance and the Butler County Development Corporation merged to become the Butler-Grundy Development Alliance (BGDA). Having shared an Executive Director for several years, a merger of the two organizations was a logical next step in building a stronger, more stable and efficient organization to serve the two-county region. The organization reflects a unified approach to community and economic development in Butler and Grundy Counties.
The Butler-Grundy Development Alliance promotes economic prosperity by providing resources and building relationships to help attract and retain business and industry, and to support community development in the two-county region.
The BGDA focuses on activities in four main areas, including business development, business retention and expansion, tourism, and community development.
Jeff has been the sole staff person since the non-profit organization (Butler County Development Corp.) was formed in 2001. In 2017, the organization merged with the Grundy County Development Alliance, and now serve both counties. A new strategic plan was adopted, along with the new name. Jeff completed the Heartland Economic Development Course in 2003. As the lead economic development organization, Jeff has been involved with several industrial expansion and recruitment projects over the past 18 years, and assists city leaders in the two-county region with community development related projects. Most recently, Jeff was instrumental in bringing the partners together for the development of a new rail industrial park, Butler Logistics Park. Kolb has also been very active in the Cedar Valley Regional Partnership, where he served as the first chairperson for the six county marketing region. Prior to his economic development career, Jeff had spent 15 years on air in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls radio market. Mr. Kolb is a very active community volunteer, serving in the past on City Council and continues to serve as a longtime volunteer on the fire department and the EMS service.