The Ames Regional Economic Alliance (Alliance) is excited to announce a new strategic partnership with the Greene County Development Corporation (GCDC).
With this new strategic partnership, the Alliance will play a key role in strengthening the GCDC organization while taking another step towards expanding their regional economic development efforts across central Iowa.
“Our team is excited to be working on behalf of the Greene County Development Corporation,” said Dan Culhane, President and CEO of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. “Greene County plays an important role in our regional economy, with strong community assets and a commitment to grow. Its proximity to Highway 30 and alignment with our broader regional efforts make this partnership both strategic and timely.”
The GCDC will now begin working alongside the Alliance to enhance services and support for Greene County communities. Through this partnership, the Alliance will support GCDC with organizational administration and provide expertise in workforce development, business retention and expansion, housing initiatives, communications, website development, and media support.
“We thought being a stand-alone county today just doesn’t make sense, “said Michelle Book, Interim Executive Director of the Greene County Development Corporation. “GCDC is well positioned to use our recent success and momentum to boost local economic development efforts; joining a successful Alliance will amplify the impact.”
This partnership extends the Alliance’s economic development work across four counties that also includes Boone, Hamilton, and Story Counties. Both the GCDC Board of Directors and Alliance Board of Directors approved of this partnership in July 2025.
Greg Piklapp, Director of Economic Development Outreach & Government Relations at the Alliance, has been selected to serve as the new Executive Director of the Greene County Development Corporation. “I’m honored to serve as the Executive Director of the Greene County Development Corporation and excited to deepen the partnership with the Ames Regional Economic Alliance,” said Piklapp. “Greene County has incredible momentum, and by working together regionally, we can amplify the strengths of our communities and create even more opportunities for growth, investment, and quality of life.”
