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.

SEVEN DIMENSIONS Awards
(Category): Unique Sense of Place: Values historical roots and embraces a shared vision.
(Award Recipient): Sioux City, “Cow Town with an Opera House”

(Category): An Engaging Experience: Provides authentic and engaging opportunities for individual and community expression, interaction and common experiences.
(Award Recipient): Coon Rapids, “Dark Sky Protection and Appreciation”

(Category): Sustainable Community & Pleasing Environment: Implements sustainable community principles, energy efficiency, and provides a healthy, accessible natural and built environment.
(Award Recipient): Decorah, “Trout Run Trail”

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Category): Rich, Diverse Social Fabric: Promotes and encourages social interaction – formal and informal – with equal opportunity for everyone.
(Award Recipient): Fairfield, “Downtown Streetscape”

(Category): Vital, Creative Economy: Contains a balanced, growing, transformative mix of rewarding jobs and sustaining capital.
(Award Recipient): Fairfield, “Downtown Streetscape”

(Category): Creative Culture: Shares an attitude of optimism that welcomes new ideas, based on a diverse and inclusive cultural mosaic.
(Award Recipient): Fairfield, “Vedic Observatory”

(Category): Strong Foundation: Responds to everyone – the entire social fabric, investing in itself both physically and philosophically.
(Award Recipient): Adams County, “Lake Icaria Improvements”