The Iowa Tourism Conference was held on Wednesday and the City of Jefferson took home two awards.

Jefferson Matters Executive Director Matt Wetrich says Jefferson was named the Outstanding Community in the rural category. He points out this award exemplifies the effort and work that is done by lots of people.

“A big, big acknowledgment to us as a community. We are doing a lot of things to bring people here to have fun, (and) the experiences we provide. It’s really an acknowledgment of all of the different governmental entities ,and the non-profits, and the businesses, and the tourism entities, and all the partnerships that really go on in a small community, to make ourselves be a welcoming place and we hear it regularly in our office, especially in the summertime when people are visiting.”  

Wetrich notes another award went to The Centennial, which is owned and operated by Sara Ostrander, and won Outstanding Dining Business in the rural category. 

“Which is a really big deal. This is a statewide thing. So to be acknowledged for her is huge, and of course an extra nod to the ladies of the Why Not Us group, who made that building hospitable again for a business.”

Wetrich adds this isn’t the first time that there’s been other awards that entities in Jefferson have received from Iowa Tourism. Those include in 2021 with Outstanding Attraction for the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower and Outstanding Promotional Material for the Experience Jefferson website, and in 2015 when RVP~1875/History Boy Theater Company won Outstanding Retail Experience.