What will Decorah's re-designation as one of "Iowa's Great Places" mean?

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs in July recognized Decorah by re-designating it an "Iowa Great Place."

The five-year designation qualifies Decorah to apply for grant funding through the state agency.  Decorah was initially accepted into the program in 2007 and was previously re-designated in 2011 prior to 2018's redesignation.

Successful grant applications from previous Iowa Great Place designations have helped build the Trout Run Trail, Norm Smith plaza on Water Street and the Decorah entrance signs at Highways 52 and 9 and at Highway 9 and Montgomery streets.

City of Decorah officials have discussed applying for Great Places funding to help pay for an initial segment of the Dry Run Trail, restoration of stonework at Decorah Parks, and Upper Iowa River flood protection projects.

City officials attended a conference in Cedar Rapids last week to get more information about the grant process.  They were accompanied by a staffer from Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development, which is providing assistance with the re-designation and funding applications.