Jones Co. looks to achieve Hometown Pride

By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     Two communities in Jones County are now part of the Grant Wood Loop/Grant Wood Mississippi River Region (GWMRR)’s Hometown Pride initiative.

     Monticello and Anamosa have both formed committees to help further the Hometown Pride program along.

     Hometown Pride is a five-year commitment, which both the Monticello and Anamosa city councils have agreed to support as well. The program helps to “enhance the economic and cultural vitality of the communities by supporting, facilitating, and furthering the implementation of community and county plans in a coordinated strategy with the assistance of a community coach.” That community coach for all of Jones County is Dave Heiar with the Jackson County Economic Alliance. Heiar will also be the coach for the three-county Grant Wood Loop region.

     Dusty Embree, Jones County Economic Development, explained that Hometown Pride helps to “build stronger and more sustainable places to live.”

     A committee has been formed in Monticello, and includes co-chairs Tom Yeoman and Kim Brooks, and secretary Aimee Hospodarsky.

     The committee members stem from the successful Monticello Heart & Soul group as well.

     The committee will “work toward increasing the pride of Monticello by working toward community betterment initiatives that have identified in the planning process.”

     That planning process was already completed by Heart & Soul. Thanks to their hard work and efforts, five ideas have already been brought to light in Monticello:

     • Promote Community Celebrations

     • Welcome Newcomers

     • Improve School Facilities

     • Establish Recreational Trails

     • Support Business Ventures

     Hometown Pride brings Jones County and Heart & Soul into the next phase of the state initiative Parks to People, which is how the Grant Wood Loop came to be.

     “You turn plans into action,” said Embree of Hometown Pride, “and you make sure those plans come to fruition.”

     Hometown Pride helps communities/counties connect to resources throughout the state to complete successful plans/projects. While Hometown Pride typically encompasses a single community; the Grant Wood Loop will be the first region to achieve the Hometown Pride designation.

     “Communities have seen great success with this program,” said Embree.

     If you would like to be a part of the Monticello Hometown Pride program, contact Kim Brooks at kbrooks@monticelloexpress.com.

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