News : What being a \'Great Place\' could mean; Vinton residents invited to meeting today

Even Vinton-Shellsburg High School football fans got into "Great Place" spirit at Sept. 10 game.

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs will send its Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Board and DCA staff to conduct site visits next week toinAlbia, Elk Horn, Lamoni, Manchester and Vinton, and to Webster/Hamilton counties. Iowa's newest Great Places will be announced Oct. 22 in Des Moines.

The Vinton visit takes place this afternoon.

Vinton residents are encouraged show support for Vinton by attending the presentation by local leaders to the state officials this afternoon at the Palace.

The meeting begins at 3:30 p.m. in the Vinton Palace, but Vinton Unlimited Director Nathan 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.

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

"First," said 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.

ABOUT GREAT PLACES

Now in its sixth year, Iowa Great Places encourages communities to work together to achieve a better quality of life for their citizens. The program combines state resources with local assets to build capacity in communities, regions, neighborhoods or districts that cultivate their unique and authentic qualities.

Currently, 26 communities have been given the "Great Places" designation.

In developing their proposals, Iowa communities were asked to address seven unique and authentic dimensions that make places special -- engaging experiences; rich, diverse populations and cultures; a vital, creative economy; clean and accessible natural and built environments; well-designed infrastructure; a shared attitude of optimism that welcomes new ideas; and a diverse and inclusive cultural mosaic.

More information about Iowa Great Places can be found at www.iowagreatplaces.gov.