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| 10/2/2008 2:36:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | West Union . . . one of Iowa's Great Places!
By Mike Van Sickle
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| STATE-CERTIFIED – Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge (second from left) congratulates members of the West Union contingent attending Monday’s formal announcement that the community has been selected as an Iowa Great Place. Among the local officials/business leaders participating in the ceremony were (from left) Mayor Merlin Dunt, Jim O’Brien, Karla Organist, Tobin Britt, and Kathryn Moser.
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State and local officials are in agreement that things are looking "Great" for West Union, after the Fayette County community was named an Iowa Great Place on Thursday.
"It was a pleasant surprise that was due to everyone involved with the volunteerism effort and who devoted so many, many hours of their time. It is greatly appreciated, and I believe reflects on all of the residents of this community," said Mayor Merlin Dunt.
"It's just so fantastic and is going to open so many other opportunities for the community of West Union," agreed Greg Ptacek, president of the Main Street West Union Board. "The announcement is the result of the entire community coming together. The hospital, educational centers, West Union Industrial Development, everyone helping to build this puzzle in which we want West Union to progress and move forward.
"This is an opportunity for West Union to be one community that can provide a shining light in Iowa, and even the nation," he added. "I wish to applaud the Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Board for reading our story and sharing in our vision."
Thursday's official announcement came after the Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Board concluded a three-day tour of the four finalist locations, including a stop in West Union on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
In addition, as a state-designated Green Pilot Community, the West Union proposal to become an Iowa Great Place included the following themes/projects :
• Redesign of the downtown streetscape.
• Redesign that will make West Union neighborhoods walkable/bikeable.
• Redesign of the Courthouse Square Plaza.
• Energy-efficient, zero-water runoff with geothermal streets and sidewalks and ice and snow removal.
Following its community visits, the board made its recommendations to Department of Cultural Affairs director Cyndi Pederson. Pederson approved the advisory board's recommendations, bringing the total number of Iowa Great Places to 20 in the state.
The West Union announcement was combined with the acceptance into the program of Spencer, Warren County, and the team effort of Marquette and McGregor.
Formal
announcement Monday
A contingent of West Union and Fayette County officials joined representatives from the other three communities on Monday in being formally introduced at the State Capitol in Des Moines as Iowa Great Places.
"As Iowans, we must preserve this sense of community that sets our state apart. And the Iowa Great Places program was designed to do just that," said Lt. Governor Patty Judge.
"Today we are here to celebrate four outstanding Iowa communities who represent all that Iowa has to offer. It is my pleasure to welcome Warren County, Spencer, West Union and Marquette-McGregor to the family of Iowa Great Places. This has been a terrific month for Iowa," added Pederson. "We received letters of intent from 19 different communities, and four went through the application process this year. They shared their hopes and dreams for the future and showed remarkable commitment to their place and to the program. The interest, enthusiasm and energy shows there are people all over this state with the passion to achieve their vision."
A Great Place for progress
Iowa Great Places calls on state agencies to partner with Iowans by combining state resources with local assets to make Iowa's communities, neighborhoods, districts and regions great places where people want to live, work and raise a family.
The Great Places designation creates a partnership between the State of Iowa and the community, with the following benefits:
• Technical assistance from all relevant state agencies for project implementation;
• Additional consideration for grant applications from all state agencies for projects specifically included in a Place's Great Place proposal;
• Dedicated State Historic Preservation Tax Credits;
• Greater publicity;
• Iowa Great Places grant funds (pending legislative approval for each fiscal year);
• Diverse interests coming together to create a unified vision for their community.
According to State Representative Andrew Wenthe of Hawkeye, the Legislature is providing $2 million in funding for the four newest "Great Places," and each could be eligible for additional funds next year.
"I'm proud of the people in West Union who have worked so hard to improve the quality of life in their community," added Wenthe. "Their dedication to 'community' will benefit all of northeast Iowa."
"This is not only great for West Union, but the entire county," agreed Fayette County Supervisors Chairperson Mike Kennedy of Oelwein. "There are a lot of positive things going on in West Union and throughout Fayette County."
State agencies continue to work with Iowa's previously identified Great Places - Adams County, Appanoose County, Charles City, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Decorah, Dubuque, Fairfield, Guttenberg, Jackson County, Mason City, Perry and Valley Junction of West Des Moines - to achieve their visions by identifying technical assistance and existing programs such as grant and financial aid programs, and the State Historic Preservation Tax Credit program.
Meanwhile, Clinton, Coon Rapids and Sioux City - the program's pilot Places - complete their three-year participation this year.
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