Dubuque, Iowa - Awards and Recognition

Awards and Recognition

Dubuque has received a number of awards and recognition for its redevelopment during the past decade.

• 2001-1st recipient of the Vision Iowa Grant, awarded for $40 million to revitalize the Port of Dubuque.
• 2006-Urban Pioneer Award by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in recognition of Dubuque’s 20-year commitment to the revitalization of the city’s center.
• 2006- Audrey Nealson Community Development Achievement Award that is given out by the National Community Development Association. The award recognized exemplary uses of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds which best addressed the needs of low-income families and neighborhoods.
• 2006-Money Magazine identified Dubuque as having the "shortest commute time" - 11.8 minutes, of all U.S cities.
• 2007, 2008 and 2010-ranked among the "100 Best Communities for Young People" by the America's Promise Youth Foundation.
• April 2007- ranked 15th in the "Best Small Places For Business and Careers'" ranking by Forbes Magazine, climbing 60 spots from 2006.
• June 2007-All-America City Award, one of 10 cities recognized nationally.
• June 2008-Named as the "Most Livable" Small City by the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM).
• 2009-ranked the 8th best small metro area to launch a small business by CNNMoney.com.
• 2009-Dubuque was honored as the United States Department of Commerce's Excellence in Economic Development for Excellence in Historic Preservation-led Strategies. Dubuque received the award for its commitment to research-based, market driven economic development in helping grow the local economy.
• 2009-one of America's Top 100 Places to Live, by RelocateAmerica.com's .
• 2009-"America's Crown Community Award," by American City and Country Magazine, for collaboration that resulted in IBM’s decision to locate a new global technology service delivery center in Dubuque.
• In 2010-Forbes has selected Dubuque as the best small city to raise a family in the country.
• In 2010-Forbes ranked Dubuque as the top community for job growth, up from 157th in 2009.
• 2010-Excellence in Economic Development Award, presented by the International Economic Development Council.
• 2010-Greater Dubuque Development was recognized by the Mid-American Economic Development Council for its programs in Business Retention and Expansion and Workforce Development.
• 2010-Third most livable community in the world at the International Awards for Livable Communities.
• 2010-ranked 7th best city in the U.S. for economic growth of cities under 200,00 people, by Business Facilities Magazine.
• 2010-ranked as the third best city for job growth by careerbuilder.com.
• 2011-one of the 10 smartest cities on the planet, Fast Company magazine. (Dubuque was the only city from the western hemisphere on the list.)
• 2011-2010 Drinking Water Safe Revolving Loan Fund Award by EPA for Sustainable Public Health Protection.