PRESS RELEASE Polk City is named an Iowa Great Place

For Immediate Release
Date: July 19, 2023

Polk City is named an Iowa Great Place

The Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Board designated Polk City as an Iowa Great Place. The prestigious designation recognizes communities dedicated to improving their quality of life and enhancing placemaking.

An advisory group of 30 volunteers, the City of Polk City, and GoPolkCity collaborated on submitting a Vision Plan and application to the Iowa Great Places Board in March of 2023. Through public survey and feedback, the Polk City Vision Plan, “Explore Polk City” was created and submitted with the application. The plan outlines Polk City amenities, recent accomplishments and future projects which range from small to large scale. “Explore Polk City” can be found on the City’s website at https://www.polkcityia.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif5571/f/news/iowagreatplaces_polkcity_vision_plan.pdf

In May 2023 key members of the advisory group hosted the Iowa Great Places Advisory Board and had a public presentation and tour of the community. Polk City was designated an Iowa Great Place in July of 2023. “Explore Polk City” focuses on improving and enhancing Polk City’s downtown district, prioritizing arts and culture projects, and showcasing the existing natural environment opportunities throughout Polk City, which make it a recreation destination.

“Polk City is honored to be an Iowa Great Place, and this opportunity gets us one step closer to being Central Iowa’s Recreation Destination,” stated Mayor Steve Karsjen. With the designation, Polk City will have access to new grant opportunities through the State of Iowa to help fund projects.

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