Keep Iowa Beautiful (KIB)

Keep Iowa Beautiful (KIB) began in 2000 as a vision of former Governor Robert D. Ray and Founder and retired chairman of Casey’s, Donald F. Lamberti to enhance the image and appearance of the countryside and Iowa communities by improving their economic health and cultural vitality. KIB Hometown Pride was developed in 2012 as an effort to improve the appearance of, and encourage a sense of pride in, Iowa’s communities.

Hometown Pride is a five-year program and its mission is to build capacity in communities through coaching. In practice this includes helping with volunteer recruitment, meeting facilitation, project planning, grant applications, and fundraising, ultimately guiding existing and new community champions in achieving their community’s vision.    

Between 2017 and 2022, ECIA staff coached Dubuque County communities and in collaboration with Jackson County Economic Alliance assisted with Jackson County coaching in the following activities:

Dubuque
• Fundraising plan and grant writing for Miracle League of Dubuque (all-inclusive playground and ballfield)

Dubuque County
• Training on FEMA NOIs
• Master Plan & grant writing for Dubuque County Conservation Board Steering Committee
• Heritage Trail – coordination, research, focus groups, meetings
• Facilitated online REAP Training with Iowa DNR
• Facilitated online Trails Planning and Funding Workshop
• Grant writing & Fundraising assistance
• Board of Supervisor planning sessions and draft

Asbury
• Planning for park improvement projects
• Future trails map
• Community reminder postcards
• New resident welcome packet

Cascade
• Project planning and prioritization work sessions
• Participating in the Heart and Soul Process
• Planning for new highway sign
• Designing map for city wayfinding sign
• RISE Grant for Industrial Park
• Planning for new pool
• Planning for Heart and Soul implementation
• Chamber of Commerce Strategic Plan

Peosta
• Plan for Kelley Oaks Park – volunteer clean up, install disk golf course, planning for future trails within the park, planning for erosion control and other park improvements.
• Planning and grant writing for school crossing improvements
• Participated in Power of Connections site visit
• Comprehensive plan implementation
• Inclusive playground equipment - Wellmark grant writing