Businessess Going Green
In 2011, the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce formed the Green Business Council to support sustainable practices in area businesses. The group is working closely with the Winneshiek Energy District and active committee members to develop opportunities for businesses to reduce their energy usage, eliminate waste and save money. A lot of businesses have already taken significant steps to "Go Green." Join the GBC in their efforts to create a more sustainable business community.
Sustainable Decorah
In 2010, the City of Decorah commissioned Sustainable Decorah. A group focused on making Decorah as sustainable community as possible. They led roundtable discussions, explored current sustainable efforts and developed a plan for the City of Decorah.
Vision Statement: Decorah, Iowa is a vibrant, livable, and just community. We embrace economic prosperity, social/cultural vitality, and environmental stewardship to create a sustainable legacy for generations to come.
Sustainability Principles
Social/Cultural Vibrancy
COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE: Decorah is a community that values and promotes education for all, community engagement, responsible government and businesses.
CREATIVE CULTURE: Decorah is a community that values and promotes growth of the arts.
ACTIVE LIVING: Decorah is a community that values and promotes active living for everyone.
DIVERSITY: Decorah is a community that values and promotes a commitment to diversity and recognizes the benefits that come from a varied and diverse community.
CREATIVE CULTURE: Decorah is a community that values and promotes growth of the arts.
ACTIVE LIVING: Decorah is a community that values and promotes active living for everyone.
DIVERSITY: Decorah is a community that values and promotes a commitment to diversity and recognizes the benefits that come from a varied and diverse community.
Environmental Stewardship
NATURAL RESOURCES: Decorah is a community that values and promotes environmental conservation, preservation and restoration and connection of people with nature.
RESOURCE USE: Decorah is a community that values and promotes reducing, reusing, and recycling resources.
COMMUNITY DESIGN: Decorah is a community that values and promotes the built environment of the past, present, and future which contributes to its sense of place, and accessibility.
HOUSING & BUILT ENVIRONMENT: Decorah is a community that values and promotes healthy, efficient, and affordable housing and built environment that contributes to community identity, and heritage
RESOURCE USE: Decorah is a community that values and promotes reducing, reusing, and recycling resources.
COMMUNITY DESIGN: Decorah is a community that values and promotes the built environment of the past, present, and future which contributes to its sense of place, and accessibility.
HOUSING & BUILT ENVIRONMENT: Decorah is a community that values and promotes healthy, efficient, and affordable housing and built environment that contributes to community identity, and heritage
Economic Prosperity
ENERGY: Decorah is a community that values and promotes energy conservation and renewable energy as a means to keep local dollars in the community and protect the environment.
LOCAL/REGIONAL ECONOMY: Decorah is a community that values and promotes local business and a resilient, diversified regional economy.
HEALTHY LOCAL FOOD: Decorah is a community that values and promotes wholesome food from producers, distributors, farms, and gardens.
LOCAL/REGIONAL ECONOMY: Decorah is a community that values and promotes local business and a resilient, diversified regional economy.
HEALTHY LOCAL FOOD: Decorah is a community that values and promotes wholesome food from producers, distributors, farms, and gardens.
Sustainable Decorah Plan
click to download Sustainable Decorah Supporters
Sustainable Decorah Supporters
Steering Committee
Steering Committee
Andy Johnson Ann Mansfield Barbara Ettelson Barbara Massman Bruce Jordan Benji Nichols Craig Mosher David Paquette Dick Janson Erik EricksonGeorgie Klevar Jerry Freund Joel Zook Ketel Paulson Kirk JohnsonKyrl Henderson Larry Leliefeld Rachel Vagts Ross Hadley Ruth Kath Scott Bassford Wilbur Stoen
Andy Johnson
Ann Mansfield
Barbara Ettelson
Barbara Massman
Bruce Jordan
Benji Nichols
Craig Mosher
David Paquette
Dick Janson
Erik Erickson
Georgie Klevar
Jerry Freund
Joel Zook
Ketel Paulson
Kirk Johnson
Kyrl Henderson
Larry Leliefeld
Rachel Vagts
Ross Hadley
Ruth Kath
Scott Bassford
Wilbur Stoen