DES MOINES, IOWA (July 19, 2022) — Keep Iowa Beautiful (KIB) has announced a new expansion of KIB's Hometown Pride program with the East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA), the Board of Supervisors of Dubuque and Jackson Counties, and fourteen communities: Preston, Sabula, Baldwin, LaMotte, Miles, Asbury, Holy Cross, Luxemburg, Maquoketa, New Vienna, Peosta, Rickardsville, Sageville, and Worthington. Through the Hometown Pride program, Keep Iowa Beautiful is building strong communities with sustainable futures across the state.
The Hometown Pride program enhances the economic and cultural vitality of communities by supporting, facilitating, and furthering the implementation of community and county plans and ideas in a coordinated strategy with the assistance of a community coach.
"Keep Iowa Beautiful is excited to expand our partnership with ECIA and leaders in Dubuque County and Jackson County," said Kevin Techau, Executive Director of Keep Iowa Beautiful. "With today's expansion, fourteen communities will now have the potential to increase their cultural and economic vitality, improving them as great places to live, work, and raise a family."
"We are thrilled to help KIB expand the Hometown Pride program to thirteen new communities in Dubuque and Jackson Counties," said Kelley Deutmeyer, Executive Director of East Central Intergovernmental Association. "Hometown Pride has proven it strengthens our communities and betters their chances for not only survival but growth and increased pride."
Amanda Dupont, Dylan Michels, and Tricia Wagner will serve as Hometown Coaches for the participating communities in Dubuque County and Jackson County. Dupont is a Grant Writer/Inspector and has worked in community outreach throughout her professional career. Dupont notes that "Keep Iowa Beautiful's expansion in Dubuque and Jackson Counties brings new opportunities to better the local communities so many Iowans call home."
Dylan Michels has over eight years of experience working with communities on various projects including transportation, hazard mitigation, Brownfields, housing, and transit. "We look forward to developing local committees in each town. Each member is assigned distinct roles and duties to act on the community's plan, creating an engaged and active group," added Michels.
Tricia Wagner brings over five years of experience on community and economic development. Wagner stated that "Our goal as Hometown Pride Coaches is to give technical guidance and provide assistance to local committees. We aim to deliver a sense of stability and empowerment for all those involved in Hometown Pride."
The Hometown Pride program has operated in fifteen Iowa Counties and 112 Communities.
About Keep Iowa Beautiful
Keep Iowa Beautiful was established in 2000 by Co-Founders Robert D Ray and Donald F Lamberti becoming the 23rd State Affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. It is a 501c3 charitable organization working with Iowa citizens and communities in improving the vitality and cultural health of the state of Iowa. KIB is building stronger communities to develop sustainable futures. For additional information, visit www.keepiowabeautiful.com.
