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In 2022, five communities in the ECICOG region joined the Hometown Pride Program, a statewide initiative through Keep Iowa Beautiful in partnership with the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The program is administered in our region by Jessica Walker, the "Community Coach”, to support communities in creating physical, cultural and economic improvements in their towns to increase community pride.
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Walker works with communities through a five-year comprehensive commitment with the goal of creating a more vibrant, stable future. The program adapts to individual and unique circumstances of each community, which rely on volunteers to build capacity and work together to accomplish many impactful projects and community improvements, including the following:
Shellsburg - Revitalization of the historic Gold Medal Flour Mural
Walker – Annual “Music in the Park” concert series
Hills - “Food Truck Fridays” and landscape painting in new Songbird Sanctuary Park
Springville - Hometown pride community garden
Center Point - Downtown lighting project
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For more information on the Hometown Pride program, contact ECICOG Community Development Specialist Jessica Walker or visit the Hometown Pride section of the Keep Iowa Beautiful website.
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