Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds traveled to Indianola Friday, visiting the Des Moines Metro Opera Headquarters as well as receiving a tour of the square and surrounding area, and recognizing Indianola for their recent designation as an Iowa Great Place. Reynolds tells KNIA News one of her priorities is to invest in Iowa including the arts and education, and efforts like Indianola’s to highlight local art such as the Des Moines Metro Opera is happening statewide.

“That is happening in communities across the state, and I really appreciate Director Chris Kramer and what she has done at Cultural Affairs to get out in the state and highlight all the cultural and historical activity and places that are taking place across the state of Iowa. She has done a good job I think under her tenure of pointing that out, highlighting it, encouraging it, she’s brought people together to talk about the assets that they have in their community and how we can highlight and acknowledge and build from that. Because it is a big piece of quality of life and a big attraction to our young people and so we want to make sure they have those same opportunities and amenities no matter where they choose to live in the state of Iowa.”

Reynolds also joined US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos touring Vermeer in Pella on Friday.