Monticello Hometown Pride invites public input

By: 
Staff report

     The City of Monticello has agreed to be a part of the State of Iowa initiative Hometown Pride, a five-year commitment to help enhance the economic and cultural vitality of Monticello.

     As Jones County is part of the regional program Parks to People/Grant Wood Loop, along with Jackson and Dubuque counties, the Hometown Pride initiative is being coordinated throughout the region.

     Hometown Pride helps communities throughout the state turn plans for community improvement into action. It is unique to Iowa, and a handful of Iowa counties have participated so far: Pocahontas County, Fremont County, Sac County, Jasper County, Warren County, Louisa County, Polk County, and Clinton County.

     Pocahontas County established its Hometown Pride program in 2012 and completed the five-year initiative just this September. Some of the projects included:

     • Painting buildings

     • Installing park benches, picnic tables, planters, and trash/recycle receptacles for city parks

     • Landscaping projects in city parks

     • Planting trees

     • New playground equipment

     • Community signage

     • Iowa Living Roadways Trail Visioning Program

     • New Community trail and trail signage

     • New school memorial project

     • Monthly Hometown Pride infomercials published in the Pocahontas County newspapers

     In all, the communities of Pocahontas County received 30 grants to bring their projects to fruition. They were also grateful to area businesses, organizations and residents who donated toward the various projects.

     Typically, part of the Hometown Pride project involves the formation of core values that lead to projects to follow through on. Thanks to the dedication of Monticello Heart & Soul, much of that groundwork has already been completed. With projects already identified, Hometown Pride will help create action plans to turn those projects into a reality.

     The Heart & Soul priority projects include:

     • Promote Community Celebrations

     • Improve School Facilities

     • Welcome Newcomers

     • Establish Recreational Trails

     • Support Business Ventures

     At the next Hometown Pride meeting on Thursday, Oct. 19, from 5-6 p.m., the core committee will be dividing into five groups to further explore these five initiatives. If you have interest in helping to brainstorm specific projects for these areas, please contact Kim Brooks at kbrooks@monticelloexpress.com or plan to attend the Oct. 19 meeting to learn more.

     The co-chairs of Monticello Hometown Pride are Kim Brooks and Tom Yeoman. Aimee Hospodarsky serves as secretary. Dave Heiar, of Maquoketa, serves as the Grant Wood Loop Hometown Pride coach.

Category:

Subscriber Login