Decorah Blue Zone Committee is hoping for a second chance

Even though Decorah didn't get selected Friday as one of the communities for a site visit for the Blue Zone Project, local Blue Zone Committee members are hoping the community still has a chance.

"Blue Zones has focused on the larger communities at this time, but we are not out of the running with continued hope to be considered in their smaller community selection." said Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce Executive President Nikki Brevig, a Blue Zones Co-Chair.

Iowa Blue Zones officials said Friday, in March, Wellmark and Healthways will announce the smaller communities that have been selected for site visits. This will multiply the opportunities for all communities across the state from the original commitment of 10 demonstration sites to many more."

The Blue Zones Project is a collaborative initiative by the State of Iowa, Healthways  and Blue Cross Blue Shield to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation in five years.