Managing Editor

Russ Mitchell

Daily Reporter staff

The preliminary work has been done and Monday, a committee delegation comprised of Great Places Citizen Advisory Board members and Department of Cultural Affairs representatives will be in Spencer for a key step in the Iowa Great Places designation process.

The groups have set aside two hours beginning at 2:15 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, for Spencer's Great Places presentation at the Spencer Community Theater; and the local organizers are calling on the citizens of the community to show their support.

Spencer residents are being asked to turn out in force at the presentation to help fill the seats in the SCT auditorium as a show of support. Local coordinators are encouraging those with Spencer wear to show it off at the session.

So what's all the hoopla about?

"It's important for a lot of reasons," said Spencer City Manager Bob Fagen. "First of all there's a financial incentive if you're successful.

"Somewhere up to a quarter of a million dollars can be awarded which would go a long way to helping some of those projects involved in putting this all together."

Fagen continued, "Also what it does, it's great for economic development and tourism because it gives you that designation. You get points in applications for certain state loans and grants. It gives your a leg up. It gives you the ability to work with state agencies on grants and technical assistance."

So how important is the community support towards the successful conclusion of the group's attempt to earn the designation?

"They could be the determining factor in what's awarded. This is the perfect opportunity to be involved to show the enthusiasm and show them that we are a great place," Fagen explained. "We need to pack the house. We need to show that this is a community effort. We are a great place and in showing that enthusiasm, I think it will go a long way to helping us in that decision."

The public is asked to arrive at approximately 2:15 p.m., with the presentation set to take place at 2:30 p.m. Representatives from the various projects represented will make five minute presentations. Spencer Municipal Utilities has been working with those coordinating the presentation to offer video support which will also be used in the presentation.

When we're over with that part of it, the Steering Committee will take the guest committee on a tour of the community so they can see the projects up close according to Fagen.

Iowa's newest Great Places will be identified Sept. 30.

Spencer could receive a state grant of $250,000-$500,000. The city would disperse the money to about six different projects.

Spencer's proposal centers around enhancements for the Grand Avenue Boulevard and bridge, a Spencer Community Theatre remodel and expansion, a Parker Historical Museum remodel and expansion, efforts to find improve and use the 1914 old high school and 1937 auditorium, and expansion of the Spencer trail system.

"It's exciting. What a great opportunity for the public to be part of this process," Fagen said.

Delray Bredehoeft was Spencer's city representative on the local Great Places Committee. The grant application was written by Steve Hallgren of Northwest Iowa Planning and Development.

Iowa Great Places is a program that calls on state agencies to partner with Iowans in a new way by combining state resources with local assets to make Iowa's communities, neighborhoods, districts and regions great places where people want to live, work and raise a family.

In developing their proposals, Iowans were asked to address seven unique and authentic dimensions that make places special: engaging experiences; rich, diverse populations and cultures; a vital, creative economy; clean and accessible natural and built environments; well-designed infrastructure; a shared attitude of optimism that welcomes new ideas; and based on a diverse and inclusive cultural mosaic.

"We're really excited that Spencer has been selected as the finalist for the Great Places designation," Bredehoeft said. "Certainly it's a good thing that can bring a lot of great things to Spencer."

City leaders learned about Spencer's finalist designation on Wednesday, Aug. 27. Bredehoeft said the potential acknowledgment can be a source of community pride. More importantly, Bredehoeft said the application process encourages the community to sit down and take a look at its resources and finances.

The visiting delegation also will tour the other three finalists, Marquette/McGregor, Warren County and West Union Sept. 22-24.