Representatives from five communities attend Driftless Area Scenic Byway public meeting

Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) hosted a meeting at the Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank in Waukon Tuesday, March 20 to share information about efforts to promote the Driftless Area Scenic Byway and to seek input from Byway communities located along the 100-mile route.
Attendees included City Administrators, County Supervisors, County Engineers and interested business owners and community members from Allamakee County. Jared Nielsen, Driftless Area Scenic Byway Coordinator, began the meeting by presenting information about Iowa’s Byways, their impact on tourism and an update on what has been accomplished since the project began in 2008.  Lora Friest, Executive Director of Northeast Iowa RC&D, facilitated a discussion to gather input regarding community and Byway branding, livability, infrastructure needs and cultural and historic opportunities that will enhance the Byway travelers’ experience.

Ideas generated from the discussion include working with local Chambers of Commerce to offer Byway trainings to businesses and their employees. Meeting attendees also identified things for visitors to see and do in the Byway communities of Postville, Harpers Ferry, Waukon, Lansing and New Albin. The meeting concluded with a conversation on how those in attendance could participate in current and future Byway projects.
For additional information about the Driftless Area Scenic Byway or to be added to the newsletter distribution list, contact Jared Nielsen at 563-864-7112 or jared@northeastiowarcd.org.