Independence Among Communities Chosen for First Impressions Program

Independence is among five Iowa communities chosen to take part in what’s known as the First Impressions program, which is designed to strengthen tourism, attract new residents and cultivate a community’s quality of life. 

Diane Van Wyngarden is a state tourism specialist with the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, which helped to develop the program. Now in its second year, it’s focused on towns with ten-thousand or fewer residents.

The first communities for the program’s opening year were Corning and Maquoketa. Van Wyngarden says this year’s five communities are Independence, Manning, Perry, Washington and Webster City.

The assessors will also be looking for things like agritourism opportunities. Later this year, each community will get a 90-page report on the findings during a town hall meeting.

You can learn more about the program on the ISU Extension website.

story courtesy of Radio Iowa