The Jefferson County Economic Development Consortium (JCEDC) serves as the lead economic development organization in Jefferson County.  The Consortium was formed in June 2003 to implement Jefferson’s Overall Economic Development Program and to achieve the economic development goals of the County.  Its overall goals are to foster and encourage responsible, sustainable economic development activities that result in job creation, job retention, increase the tax base and improve the quality of life for the citizens of Jefferson County.

The Consortium consists of ten voting members, which includes a representative from each of six member villages or cities in the county (this includes the cities of Watertown, Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Whitewater, Lake Mills, Waterloo and the Village of Johnson Creek), and three county board supervisors.  Serving in an ex-officio and non-voting capacity are a representative from the Department of Commerce, the UW-Extension, and the Jefferson County Administrator. In addition, the board has advisory members from the banking, agriculture and utility sectors of the business community.

The department is staffed by Executive Director Dennis Heling, and his administrative assistant. 

Some of the programs and activities of the Consortium and the Director include: 

• To improve the competitiveness and profitability of existing businesses. More>>
• To encourage formation of new businesses and expansion of existing business in the County.  More>>
• To encourage businesses and industries to locate in Jefferson County. More>>
• To enhance economic development activities in local communities and foster the development of physical infrastructure to support future economic development. More>>
• To maintain the desired quality of life of each community through managed growth. More>>
• To improve opportunities for agribusiness. More>>