City awarded Healthy grant
by Lindsay Hoeppner · November 04, 2009

Healthy behaviors and environments are bound to create healthy communities.

Through the help of a two-year, $20,000 Iowa Healthy Communities Initiative Grant, West Liberty has a chance to test that claim.

“The grant is designed to provide coordinated programs at the community level, encourage healthier lifestyles, promote wellness and prevent the health and financial consequences of chronic diseases that are often lifestyle-related,” said city manager Chris Ward.

The main focus of the award, which is a joint effort between the Iowa Department of Health and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, is to reduce childhood obesity.

As a result, mayor Chad Thomas said the city will be partnering with the school district.

Ward said West liberty, which was one of six pilot cities chosen for the program, was likely selected due to its makeup.

“Our community is obviously unique,” he said. “We have our own school district, one municipality and one major employer.”

Since the city was awarded the grant in September, Bi-State Regional Planning Commission, which is administering the program, received training, and will meet with Thomas and West Liberty School District superintendent Bob Mata today (Thursday, Nov. 5), to provide the city with specifics on the program.

Thomas can already see the positive changes the program will likely make throughout West Liberty.

“Any initiative that promotes healthy lifestyles is a great thing and fits in well with a number of projects that the city and the school district have been working on already,” Thomas said.

As the grant is initiated, Ward said educating community members will be the most important aspect of the program.

“It will, at the very least, make people aware of their choices,” he said. “At the most, it will promote some lifestyle choices, but I think awareness is the key.”