CITY AWARDS

CITY AWARDS

2016

February--The national Insurance Services Office (ISO) upgraded the City of Dubuque’s fire suppression capabilities rating based on the city’s fire department, emergency communications, water supply, and community risk reduction. As a result, Dubuque received the second-highest rating possible, placing it among the top three percent in the nation. ISO conducted an evaluation of Dubuque’s fire protection service over the summer of 2015 and notified the City that Dubuque’s fire suppression rating has been upgraded from Class 3 to Class 2.

February--Personal finance writer John Wasik, a contributor to Forbes.com, presented his list of "The Best Cities to Climb the Economic Ladder." Using research from economist Raj Chetty, Wasik listed Dubuque on his three-community "short list" of upwardly mobile cities, generally defined as the best places to climb from the bottom to the top of the income scale. The other two places: San Jose, Calif., and Washington, D.C. Wasik described our community as the "San Francisco of the Midwest."

March--The National League of Cities (NLC) selected Dubuque for its first place award in the 2016 NLC City Cultural Diversity Awards for the City’s support of INCLUSIVE DUBUQUE and its efforts to develop a community equity profile.

2015

Movoto Real Estate lists Dubuque as the second most relaxed small city (populations between 50,000 and 60,000) in America based on the following criteria: commute time, unemployment rate, cost of living, crime, hours worked per week, population density, percent earnings spent on rent, number of massage businesses, yoga studios, and parks per capita.

The City of Dubuque was chosen as the recipient of 1000 Friends of Iowa’s “2014 Best Development Award” in the category of Stormwater Management. The award announcement acknowledges the City’s Green Alley Program. (Jan. 1)

Dubuque was given a 4-STAR Community Rating (out of a possible 5) by a Washington, D.C. based nonprofit organization. The city became the third Iowa community and the 25th in the nation to achieve certification under the national STAR Community Rating System which involves economic, environmental and social performance measures.

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency cited Dubuque as one of seven case studies for how small cities and towns can successfully retool their economies. Dubuque was praised for its 90-acre riverfront revitalization project and the revitalization of the historic Millwork District. Dubuque recovered all the jobs it lost during the recession by the first quarter of 2011, a feat achieved by only 18 of the 363 U. S. cities examined. In November 2013, Dubuque's 3.5 unemployment rate was half of the national average and the city had the 17th-highest gross domestic product growth rate in the nation. (Telegraph Herald, June 1, 2015, p. 3A)

The Iowa Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) has named the City of Dubuque’s Green Alley Program Bid Set 3 – Year 1 its Project of the Year in the category of Environment for projects under $5 million.

City of Dubuque Civil Engineer and Green Alley Project Manager Jon Dienst accepted the award at the Iowa Chapter APWA Fall Conference in Marion on August 20, 2015. The award recognizes nine green alleys located from Johnson Street to Marshall Street between Rhomberg Avenue and Lincoln Avenue that were reconstructed in 2014.

Iowa’s Natural Resource Commission approved a Resource Enhancement and Protection grant to Dubuque for use in parks and open spaces. This competitive grant helps cities establish natural areas, encouraging outdoor recreation and resource management.

The Eagle Point Park Environmental Restoration Project was awarded $200,000. Over time, the park’s multipurpose green space and natural wooded hillsides have experienced severe erosion and sediment loss. Invasive plant species have added to the storm water management issues on the park’s rolling and sometimes rugged terrain. Environmental restoration is needed to mitigate and reverse these impacts.

2014

Forbes ranked Dubuque 8th of the "Best Places Small Places for Business and Careers"

White House Names Dubuque a "Climate Action Champion" (Dec. 3)

USA Today has named Dubuque #4 on its list of Best American Riverfronts, as chosen by USA Today readers and 10Best.

Intelligent Community Forum names Dubuque named one of world’s "Smart21 Communities" (Oct. 22)

Iowa Natural Resources Commission awarded Dubuque a fifth Resources Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant for bike/hike trail. (Oct. 10)

The website SmartAsset.com has named Dubuque one of the 10 best American cities to work in tech.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) announced that the City of Dubuque received the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the City’s budget for the ninth consecutive year. (Sept. 23)

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada awarded the City of Dubuque a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the City’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013. This was the 26th consecutive year the City of Dubuque received this recognition. (Aug. 8)

Alliant Energy named the City of Dubuque’s Water & Resource Recovery Center (W&RRC) an energy efficiency award recipient. (May 7)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) named Dubuque a recipient of its 2013 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. (Jan. 30)

Governing, a national magazine and website, featured the revitalization of downtown Dubuque in an article titled, “Corporate Entrepreneurs Are at the Heart of Downtown Revitalizations.” The full article could be viewed at http://www.governing.com/topics/urban/gov-corporations-at-revitalizations-center.html.

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Dubuque, IA. Official Website: http://www.cityofdubuque.org/newsreleases

2013

2013 Community Pacesetter Award by the National Campaign for Grade-Level Reading

Farmers Insurance named Dubuque to it's list of most secure small cities in the U.S.

“Iowa Rivers Revival,” a group that advocates for rivers, named Dubuque “River City of the Year” in recognition of the city’s visionary efforts to revitalize its connections to the Mississippi River.

The U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis has named Dubuque the fastest-growing economy in Iowa and the 27th fastest-growing nationally.

American City & County magazine named Dubuque a “Crown Community” for 2013. Dubuque was one of three communities to receive the distinction, joining Las Vegas, Nev., and Port Washington, Wis. The award announcement acknowledged the completion of Dubuque’s Water & Resource Recovery Center project, a three-year, $65 million upgrade of the city ’s waste water treatment plant.

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada awarded the City of Dubuque a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the City’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. This was the 25th consecutive year the City of Dubuque received this recognition. (Aug. 12)

The Jule, Dubuque’s public transit system, was named “Most Improved Urban Transit System of the Year” by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) at an annual awards banquet in Ames cosponsored by the Iowa Public Transit Association and the Iowa DOT. (June 28)

An initiative headed by Dubuque’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative was awarded $50,000 through the DuPont “ Lead-Safe for Kids’ Sake ” grant competition. (June 28)

Dubuque Mayor Roy D. BUOL and the Smarter Sustainable Dubuque Initiative received honorable mention for local climate protection efforts in the 2013 Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards, an initiative sponsored by The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and Walmart. (June 24)

The National Civic League named Dubuque one of its 10 All-America Cities for 2013. (June 16)

The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University named Smarter Sustainable Dubuque as one of the Top 25 programs in this year’s Innovations in American Government Award competition. (May 1)

Recent findings from The Equality of Opportunity Project show that children raised in the greater Dubuque area are among the most likely in the nation to move upwards into a higher income class. The study, conducted by researchers at Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley, found that children who were born to parents in the nation’s lowest income quintile had a 17.9% chance of being in the highest income quintile before reaching age 30. This is well above the national average of 10.6% and, of the 741 metropolitan commuting areas examined, places Dubuque in the top 60.

When compared to similar-sized commuting areas with a population between 150,000 and 200,000, Dubuque ranks first out of 58, and by a sizable margin; Dubuque’s 17.9% likelihood is 2.1% greater than the next-highest probability, and is nearly double the national average of 9%. Dubuque ranks first among the ten largest cities in Iowa, also, with nearly a 3% higher probability than the next-largest city at 14%.

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Source:

Dubuque, IA. Official Website: http://www.cityofdubuque.org/newsreleases

2012

The City of Dubuque’s Millwork District Complete Streets Project received two awards at two separate award conferences held in Ames on Nov. 1; one for excellence in planning and the other for excellence in concrete. The Complete Streets Project received an Iowa Award for Implementation by the American Planning Association (APA) at the annual APA-Iowa conference. The other award, a 2012 Excellence in Concrete award for sustainable practices, was received at the Iowa Better Concrete Conference. (Nov. 2)

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has announced that the City of Dubuque has received the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the City’s budget for the seventh consecutive year (Oct. 11)

The City of Dubuque was the recipient of two awards at the “2012 Preservation at Its Best Awards” held on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at the Five Flags Theater. The City received one award in the "Sustainability in Preservation" category for its Historic Millwork District Complete Streets Project. In the "Residential" category, the City shared an award with the DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY Community Development Corporation for the rehabilitation of the Washington Neighborhood Rowhouses at 1765-1795 Washington Street. The awards were presented by Preservation Iowa in partnership with the Iowa Gaming Association. (Oct. 10)

The City of Dubuque’s Complete Streets Project in the Dubuque Millwork District was awarded “Project of the Year in Transportation” by the Iowa Chapter of the American Public Works Association, an organization that serves professionals in all aspects of public works. The Millwork District Complete Streets Project took top honors in the “Greater than $5 million, less than $25 million” category. (Sept. 21)

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada has awarded the City of Dubuque a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the City’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011. This is the 24th consecutive year the City of Dubuque received this recognition. (Sept. 19)

Dubuque was named an All-America City by the National Civic League today based on its ambitious plan to ensure that more children are reading at grade level by the end of third grade. (July 2)

The National League of Cities’ National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials has awarded the City of Dubuque second-place honors in its 20 12 City Cultural Diversity Awards. (Mar. 12)

2012 Community Pacesetter by the National Campaign for Grade-Level Reading

America's Promise Alliance's 100 Best Communities for Young People presented by ING

Community Solutions PaceSetter Campaign for Grade-Level Reading

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Source:

Dubuque, IA. Official Website: http://www.cityofdubuque.org/newsreleases

2011

The Milken Institute’s 2011 Best-Performing Cities Index ranked the Dubuque metropolitan area 15th out of 179 small U.S. metropolitan areas. Dubuque moved up 40 spots from 2010’s 55th place ranking. (Dec. 20)

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) announced that the City of Dubuque received the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the City’s budget for the sixth consecutive year. (Oct. 21)

Dubuque listed among the seven most connected locales in the United States. Praised for being "forward-thinking" and being the first so-called smart city through IBM's program. Connected World Magazine

Dubuque named one of the ten smartest cities focused on IBM's 2009 declaration that Dubuque would become the "first integrated, smart city in the U.S. with interlocking systems watching the interplay between water, electricity, and transportation. Dubuque was the only city in America on the list. Fast Company Magazine

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Dubuque, IA. Official Website: http://www.cityofdubuque.org/newsreleases

2010

"100 Best Communities for Young People" by the America's Promise Youth Foundation

Dubuque was named a third-place finalist and gold-standard community at the International Awards for Livable Communities (LiveCom), held in Chicago, November 4-8 (Nov. 10)

The City of Dubuque was awarded a “Planning Excellence Award for Innovation for Sustaining Places” for the Sustainable Dubuque Task Force planning process by the Iowa chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-Iowa). (Oct. 28)

Dubuque, Iowa, was the top-ranked city on Forbes’ list of “The Best Small Cities to Raise a Family.” The listing ranked cities with populations under 100,000 by quality-of-life measures that make living easier for families, such as education level, median household income, rate of home ownership, housing affordability, and average commute time. (Oct. 27)

The City of Dubuque and JEO Consulting were awarded a “Planning Excellence Award for Best Practice” for the City of Dubuque Unified Development Code by the Iowa chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-Iowa). (Oct. 26)

The Academy for a Healthy Iowa, a collaboration between the Iowa Department of Public Health, Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, and Nutrition and Wellness Council of Iowa, awarded Dubuque the 2010 Healthy Iowa Community award. (Oct. 4)

The City of Dubuque received an Excellence in Economic Development Award for their Historic Roshek Building Redevelopment in the category of Public-Private Partnerships for communities with populations of 25,000 – 200,000 from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). (Sept. 28)

The Iowa League of Cities recognized the city of Dubuque as a 2010 All-Star Community at its Annual Conference & Exhibit, which was held in Coralville, September 22-24. (Sept. 27)

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) announced that the City of Dubuque received the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the City’s budget for the fifth consecutive year. (Sept. 22)

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) recently named Dubuque one of its “2010 Smarter Cities,” a list of 22 municipalities that are leading the way in green power, energy efficiency, and conservation. (Aug. 17)

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada awarded the City of Dubuque a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the City’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. This was the 22nd consecutive year the City of Dubuque has received this recognition. (June 21)

Best small city in the country for projected job growth (April) Forbes.com

ranked 7th best city in the U.S. for economic growth of cities under 200,000 people, by Business Facilities Magazine.

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Dubuque, IA. Official Website: http://www.cityofdubuque.org/newsreleases

2009

American City & County® magazine announced that Dubuque is one of 11 cities selected as 2009 “America’s Crown Communities.” (Dec. 21)

The United Nations International Awards for Livable Communities listed Dubuque third in its population category. The awards were made on the basis of enhancement of landscape, heritage management, environmentally sensitive practices, community sustainability, healthy lifestyles and planning for the future. (Nov)

A report released by The U.S. Conference of Mayors included three Dubuque anti-hunger programs among 45 initiatives in 24 cities across the country that are contributing to President Obama’s goal of ending childhood hunger in the U.S. by 2015. (Nov. 16)

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) announced that the City of Dubuque has received the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the City’s budget for the fourth consecutive year. (Sept. 11)

Dubuque was featured prominently in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2009 “This Place Matters” campaign. This Place Matters was a campaign of the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) which showcased the diverse places that matter to all of us. (July 2)

The Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance (IHPA) announced the 2009 “Preservation At Its Best” Awards. Four of those awards were for projects in Dubuque. (May 15)

RelocateAmerica.com, a website that provides relocating consumers and area residents with access to local community resources, included Dubuque in its annual listing of “America's Top 100 Places to live for 2009.” (Apr. 21)

Excellence in Economic Award by U.S. Chamber of Commerce for its commitment to research-based, market-driven economic development

8th best small metro area to launch a small business by CNNMoney.com.

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Dubuque, IA. Official Website: http://www.cityofdubuque.org/newsreleases

2008

America’s Promise Alliance (the Alliance), the nation’s largest alliance dedicated to children and youth, in partnership with Capital One, announced that Dubuque again was named a winner of its 2008 100 Best Communities for Young People (100 Best) competition. (Jan. 24)

Dubuque was awarded first-place honors in the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) 2008 Livability Awards Program. (June 21)

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada awarded the City of Dubuque a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the City’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007. This is the 20th consecutive year the City of Dubuque received this recognition. (June 3)

Country Home magazine ranked Dubuque 53rd among its 379 “Best Green Cities in America” for 2008. Dubuque climbed 109 spots after being ranked 162nd the previous year. (Apr. 22)

"100 Best Communities for Young People" by the America's Promise Youth Foundation

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Source:

Dubuque, IA. Official Website: http://www.cityofdubuque.org/newsreleases

2007

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada According to the GFOA, it reflects the commitment of the City and City staff to meeting the highest principles of government budgeting.

All-America City "the Nobel Prize of civic engagement"

National Civic League This award recognizes communities whose citizens work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges and achieve uncommon results.

100 Best Communities for Young People

America’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth For its commitment to provide healthy, safe and caring environments for young people.

Iowa Great Place Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs

Iowa Great Places have: a unique sense of place; engaging experiences; a rich, diverse social fabric; a vital, creative economy; a pleasing environment; a strong foundation; and a creative culture.

2006

Outstanding Curbside Collection Program Award

Money Magazine identified Dubuque as having the "shortest commute time" - 11.8 minutes, of all U.S cities.[

Iowa Society of Solid Waste Operations In recognition of Dubuque’s comprehensive and efficient program of waste collection services.

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada According to the GFOA, it reflects the commitment of the City and City staff to meeting the highest principles of government budgeting.

Urban Pioneer Award National Trust for Historic Preservation Recognition of Dubuque’s 20-year commitment to the revitalization of the city’s center.

Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting The City has received this award for 18 consecutive years.

Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award (Presented to Dubuque’s Housing Education and Rehabilitation Training (HEART) Partnership, of which the City is a member.)

National Community Development Association Recognizes exemplary uses of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds which best address the needs of low-income families and neighborhoods.

Phoenix Award (EPA Region 7 Winner) The Phoenix Awards Institute Recognition for Excellence in Brownfield Redevelopment

2005

Best Development Award 1,000 Friends of Iowa Best Development Award for America's River Project

10 Great Places to Discover Midwest Charm USA Today One of "10 Great Places to Discover Midwest Charm"

Employer of the Year Dubuque American Legion Post 6 Employer of the Year for support of City employees activated and deployed in Guard and Reserve Units.

Dozen Distinctive Destinations National Trust for Historic Preservation One of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations 2005 -- Annual List Promotes Heritage Tourism

Preserve America Preserve America Historic preservation

2004

Achievement in Economic Development International Downtown Association Americas River

All-Star Community Award Iowa League of Cities Americas River Project

Main Street Award Main Street Iowa Best New Development/Construction

Addy Award Advertising Club of Dubuque Grand River Center Logo

2003

Airport Safety Enhancement Award US Department of Transportation FAA Central Region Outstanding compliance with Title 14 CFR Part 139

America's Crown Communities American City & County Magazine

Best Total Building Rehabilitation Dubuque Main Street Ltd. Five Flags Theater

Environmental Certificate Participation in shredding and recycling program resulted in saving 23 trees from destruction

Excellence in Communication Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council Interest-Based Bargaining Committee

Excellence in Concrete Iowa Ready-Mixed Concrete Association Mississippi River Walk Phase II

Dubuque ranked #1 in high-tech gross domestic product growth among a field of 96 small U.S. metropolitan areas by the Milken Institute. (June 2003)

Family Self Sufficiency Program Success US HUD/Region 7 Kansas City Office of Public Housing Implementation of FSS Program Resulting in High Enrollment

Honorable Mention Partnership Award International Economic Development Council America's River Partnership

Housing Choice Voucher Home Ownership Program Success US HUD/Region 7 Kansas City Office of Public Housing Outstanding efforts in the implementation of home ownership

Ken Kringle Historic Preservation Award Historic Preservation Commission Five Flags Theatre - Excellence in rehabilitating an historic structure

Public Library Accreditation State Library of Iowa Standards of Accreditation

Tree City USA National Arbor Day Foundation The City has received this award annually since 1989

Iowa APA Port of Dubuque Master Plan

2002

Superior Levee Maintenance Award Corps of Engineers - US Army City of Dubuque Flood Protection Program

Outstanding Beautification Project (Landscaping) Dubuque Main St. 17th Anniversary Award Flat Iron Park

2001-2002

Innovative Approach to Addressing Public Transportation Services US DOT Federal Transit Administration Region VII Innovative Approach to Addressing Public Transportation Services

2001

Presidents Service Award Iowa Chapter of the NAHRO Janet Walker for outstanding effort and achievement in the promotion and success of Iowa NAHRO

Airport Safety Enhancement Award US Department of Transportation FAA Central Region Outstanding compliance with Title 14 CFR Part 139

1st recipient of the Vision Iowa Grant, awarded for $40 million to revitalize the Port of Dubuque.

2000

Best Public Education Campaign Iowa Recycling Agencies/DNR Iowa Recycling Award

Certification of Investment Policy Municipal Treasurers Association of the U.S. and Canada The investment policy submitted for review meets the standards. First City in Iowa to receive the award 1/18/95.

Excellence in Communication Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council Solid Waste Disposal Team

National Award of Merit in Administrative Innovation National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials Affirmative Customer Services

Public Policy Change Process US HUD Local Best Practice Winner

Special Recognition in Waste Management Governors Iowa Environmental Excellence Award City of Dubuque Recycling Program

Handshake Award of Appreciation Central Alternative High School

1999-2000

FTA Region 7 Y2K Compliance Award US DOT Federal Transit Administration Second City to Reach Y2K Compliance Requirements

1999

National Significance and Contribution to the Quality of Live in Iowa Iowa Chapter American Society of Landscape Architects Eagle Point Park

Prism Award Iowa Committee on Diversity Efforts to promote diversity in the community

Excellence in Trust Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council Health Care Committee

1998

All-Star Community Award Iowa League Cities Dispute Resolution Center

1997

Excellence in Programming Iowa Park and Recreation Association Therapeutic Recreation Programs

International Water Tasting & Competition Winter Festival of Waters 1st Place Toast to the Tap

Excellence in Health Care Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council Health Care Committee

1996

School Business Partnership Prescott Early Childhood Center Working together to nurture each other’s growth.

Fair Housing Assistance U.S Dept. of HUD Outstanding performance in the fair housing assistance program

1995

All-Star Community Award Iowa League of Cities (Iowa League of Municipalities) Developers Roundtable

1994

All-Star Community Award Iowa League of Cities (Iowa League of Municipalities) Prescription Drug Program

Excellence in Collaboration Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council Health Insurance Task Force

Community Water Fluoridation Centers for Disease Control and Prevention For contributions made on behalf of community water fluoridation.

1939

Safest City Award. Dubuque was the largest city in the United States without a traffic fatality. (Telegraph Herald, January 1, 1940, p. 1)