Deadline is looming for Decorah's application to become a "Blue Zone."

Decorah is one of some 80 Iowa communities which has applied to become a "Blue Zones Project" community as part of Governor Terry Branstad's plan to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation by 2016.

On Wednesday, November 23rd, the list of 80 applicants will be narrowed to around 10 communities that will be invited to submit a formal application to be chosen for the project.  A news release from the project says, "We're looking for places with lots of community support. And we're going to measure that enthusiasm by the number of residents that pledge to participate if their hometown is chosen to become a Blue Zones Community."

So Decorah officials are making a last minute push to get community members to sign up at http://www.bluezonesproject.com/citizens/signup

"The more people we sign up, the better," says Decorah mayor Don Arendt.  He believes Decorah should be strongly considered because it has already started the process of promoting heath lifestyles.  Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nikki Brevig agrees, pointing to the Food and Fitness Initiative, the Wellness Coalition and the Trails of Winneshiek's Trout Run Trail as three examples.

Communities in Iowa selected for the Blue Zones Project will get help from Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield will bringing in national experts to their communities.  They will also get access to information from the Blue Zones Project and from Healthways research on health issues.

Arendt sees plenty of benefits if Decorah is chosen as one of the Blue Zones community.  A similar project in Owatonna, Minnesota helped that community to plan for new bike trails and sidewalks.  That project also improved the public health, which led to fewer health insurance claims and lower premiums for employers, including governments.

For more information about the Blue Zones Project, visit http://www.iowahealthieststate.com/blue-zones or contact Nikki Brevig at the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce at director@decorahareachamber.com