The Pella Area Community and Economic Alliance celebrated their accomplishments and announced their goals for 2018 at their annual membership meeting Friday morning.

PACE Alliance Executive Director Karen Eischen tells KNIA/KRLS News they were able to discuss much of the progress made in the first year of the organization, including the success they’ve had in expanding housing, bringing new business to town, and increasing tourism. She says it’s been more difficult to gauge how they’ve performed with growing the city’s population and workforce, but based on what they’ve seen, it’s remained steady. A high priority for the PACE Alliance in the next year is to make both of those numbers grow.

In addition, the PACE Alliance also recognized their Impact Award winners, including the Cellar Peanut Pub, The Well Resource Center, and Pella High Teacher and Football Coach Jay McKinstrey.