www.iowagreatplaces.gov

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs issued awards to communities and individuals last week at the first annual Iowa Great Places Awards and Recognition Banquet in Des Moines on Friday, October 16, 2009.

Iowa Great Places is an initiative that combines state resources with local assets to build capacity in Iowa communities, regions, neighborhoods or districts that cultivate their unique and authentic qualities. The program calls for the state to work in partnership with each Great Place to identify existing grant programs and technical assistance that may be applicable to projects contained in their work plans.

 Following is the list of awards and recipients:

VOLUNTEER Awards
Adams County: Betsy Akin
Appanoose County: Linda Howard
Charles City: Susan McDonnell and Janet Dunkel
Clinton: Julie Allesee
Coon Rapids: Rachel Garst
Davenport: Davenport Levee Improvement Commission
Decorah: Harlan Satrom
Dubuque: Dubuque County Fine Arts Society
Fairfield: David Dubois
Guttenberg: Dolores Fishback
Jackson County: Charles Mitchell
McGregor/Marquette: Rinda Ferguson
Mason City: Lee Weber
Perry: John Glass
Sioux City: Di Gray
Spencer: James Schooley
Valley Junction: Roger and Linda Schemmel
Warren County: Becky Wigeland
West Union: Jon Biederman