Decorah ranks 48th among communities applying to become an Iowa "Blue Zone"

Decorah is currently ranked 48th on the list of communities seeking to become a "Blue Zone" in Iowa.

The State of Iowa is collaborating on a public/private partnership with Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Healthways to create Blue Zone communities in Iowa as part of a drive to become the healthiest state in the nation in five years.  Iowa is currently ranked 19th.

Decorah's Blue Zone Committee is asking as many community members as possible to sign up in the next three days.  Strong community support is one crucial element of criteria for being considered in the Blue Zone community selection.  To sign up, visit http://www.bluezonesproject.com/citizens/signup

Communities able to demonstrate their readiness and commitment will be invited to submit an application in the beginning of 2012. Applicants will host site visits in Spring of 2012 with three to four communities selected in May.  The top three or four communities will be selected for the Blue Zone program.