News : Great Places presentation: residents asked to come to Palace at 3 p.m. Tuesday

The VSHS student section held up the letters to spell Great Places Sept. 10 in Vinton.

The benefits to Vinton of being named one of Iowa's Great Places could benefit the city for years.

"First," said Vinton Unlimited Director Nathan Hesson, "It would mean $500,000 to $600,000 in grants for a variety of projects."

Next, he said, it would mean that Vinton would score more points on other grant applications, making it likely that the city could obtain more funding for other projects in the future.

Viinton residents are invited to attend a meeting on the Great Places opportunity tomorrow.

The meeting begins at 3:30 p.m. in the Vinton Palace, but Hesson said local leaders hope Vinton residents are in their seats and ready to begin at 3:15. Several local leaders will be making presentations to the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. A big crowd would show the state officials that local residents are involved in the community and working to improve its future.