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Iowa West Foundation Grants $2.5 Million to Westfair’s Massive Modernization and Expansion Efforts in Pottawattamie County

January 9, 2025

Council Bluffs, IA — In a fairground game-changer, Iowa West Foundation announced a $2.5 million lead gift to Council Bluffs’ Westfair as part of a multi-phased $34 million campaign to revitalize the beloved fairgrounds and amphitheater and enhance the visitor experience for years to come. For 50 years, Westfair has been a cornerstone of the […]

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Iowa West Welcomes Two New Board Members

December 19, 2024

Iowa West recently welcomed two Pottawattamie County residents as new board members to the organization. Laura Heisterkamp and Sarah Yrkoski will begin their four-year terms in January 2025. Both women bring a wealth of experience, Heisterkamp as the assistant vice president of bulk marketing and sales and Yrkoski as the general director for workforce resources, […]

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Iowa West Foundation Awards $2.6 Million In Grants & Initiatives

December 5, 2024

Funding supports economic development and amenities in rural southwest Iowa communities (Council Bluffs, IA) – Rual communities in southwest Iowa continue to build and thrive, thanks in part to an Iowa West Foundation economic development program that supports infrastructure in Pottawattamie County. Nearly $1 million in grant funding was awarded to five southwest Iowa towns with […]

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Iowa West Foundation Awards $3 Million In Grants & Initiatives

July 22, 2024

Funding supports ASPIRE workforce education initiative and the fight against hunger in SWI (Council Bluffs, IA) – The future of career-based education in Pottawattamie County is strong, with the Iowa West Foundation committing nearly $1 million to local school districts and education partners as part of its ASPIRE investments for the second year. The initiative allows […]

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Iowa West Awards $10,000 to each Volunteer Fire Department that Responded to Tornadoes in Southwest Iowa

May 16, 2024

A total of $114,000 is being awarded to 12 volunteer fire departments in southwest Iowa (Council Bluffs, IA) – Volunteers for local southwest Iowa fire departments went above and beyond in the aftermath of recent tornadoes that damaged homes and businesses in Pottawattamie County.  According to Jacob Nelson with the Minden Volunteer Fire Department, his colleagues […]

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Iowa West Celebrates Nine Leadership Program Graduates

April 25, 2024

Professional development and mentoring opportunities support leadership growth for women who live or work in Pottawattamie County (COUNCIL BLUFFS) –The Iowa West Foundation recently celebrated the graduation of nine participants from its leadership program. The program was designed to provide access to professional development and coaching opportunities, resulting in community leadership growth for women of […]

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Iowa West Foundation Awards $3.7 Million In Grants & Initiatives

March 26, 2024

Funding supports access to preschool, playgrounds, and financial freedom (Council Bluffs, IA) – A recent report from the Iowa Department of Education found that Pottawattamie County ranked No. 1 in Iowa for kindergarteners’ early literacy skills, a significant increase over the past five years. Since 2008, Iowa West Foundation has invested more than $18 million in […]

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“The Best Jiu Jitsu” Coming to Iowa West Wrestling Center

February 10, 2024

Local law enforcement will receive a discounted rate to utilize the space for training The community is invited to attend an open house and ribbon cutting for The Best Jiu Jitsu, an addition to The Best Wrestler at the Iowa West Wrestling Center that adjoins the Iowa West Field House on Saturday, Feb. 10th at […]

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Iowa West Welcomes New Staff, Board, and Advisory Committee Members

January 25, 2024

Solomon hired as Office Coordinator, Alford Elected to Board, and Forristall and German Join Advisory Committee The Iowa West Foundation recently welcomed several new members to the organization. Council Bluffs native Emily Solomon began her role on staff as the office coordinator and former advisory committee member Mike Alford was elected to the Iowa West […]

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