The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs has announced that Indianola is now designated as an Iowa Great Place, after a lengthy application process administered by the Indianola Hometown Pride Committee was successful. Lorin Ditzler with Hometown Pride tells KNIA News the Iowa Great Places Designation is a statewide program that recognizes places in Iowa that are unique, and allows those designated as a great place to apply for funding opportunities and resources. Ditzler said among many areas of focus for the application was the arts and culture of Indianola that stand out.

“Our opportunities like the National Balloon Classic and the National Balloon Museum, the Des Moines Metro Opera which is a unique offering, and of course all the performances from our schools as well as Simpson College. Carousel Theatre, the Indianola Concert Association, and other cultural opportunities we focused on, those arts and culture things that make us stand out in Indianola.”

Indianola was one of two new cities named as an Iowa Great Place along with Stanton, and the Sixth Avenue Corridor in Des Moines was also designated.