Awards & Accolades

Dubuque Named 15th “Best-Performing” Small Metro

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

Greater Dubuque Development Wins Top Honors

2011
Greater Dubuque Development’s Dubuque Works and AccessDubuqueJobs.com were awarded top honors by MAEDC, Mid-America Economic Development Council for their workforce development programs.

Dubuque Works was awarded first place for the collaborative effects of its seven local partners; Greater Dubuque Development, Telegraph Herald, Chamber of Commerce, Iowa Workforce, Northeast Iowa Community College, Dubuque Area Labor Management Council, and Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, in successfully addressing workforce challenges and developing solutions to overcome the challenges. Our cutting-edge website, AccessDubuqueJobs.com, received second place honors as it assists millions of job seekers nationwide search for local jobs while allowing local employers the ability to attract a qualified workforce.

Existing Business Program Cited for Excellence and Innovation

2011
Greater Dubuque Development was recognized by Blane, Canada, Ltd. for its business retention and expansion efforts and was recognized as one of the best in the industry being awarded the Critical Business Partner award. This top honor was awarded to Greater Dubuque Development for the key role it plays with the region’s existing business base.

Dubuque in the U.S. Top 10 for Job Growth

100 Best Communities for Youth

2011
Because of its commitment to provide healthy, safe and caring environments for young people, Dubuque was named as one of the 100 best communities for youth.

"The 100 Best Communities for Young People are taking bold and effective steps to help their youth graduate and lead healthy, productive lives," said Alma J. Powell, Chair, America's Promise Alliance. "Each community has proven that they are developing programs and implementing initiatives to provide young people with the essential resources they need to graduate from high school and succeed in college and a 21st century career."

Dubuque Ranks #5 for Resiliency

2011
Dubuque was named one of the most resilient cities in the nation. The city was ranked fifth out of 361 cities nationwide in a study of resiliency capacity that evaluates a community's economic capacity to bounce back from adversity, strength of demographics, and community connectivity.

Dubuque Works Wins Impact Award

2011
Dubuque Works was awarded the 365 Impact Award for Economic Development. Impact Awards recognize those who choose to make an everyday effort to impact the world around them 365 days a year - those who believe in our community and are willing to do something to make it better for everyone.

Grantors of the award commented, "Yes, Dubuque Works quite well but that isn’t just an accident. As a unique multi-organizational approach to training and workforce development, this award winner is making a real and lasting difference in the future of the greater Dubuque region. For helping Dubuque "Work" better than ever, even in this economically challenging time, the 2010 365 Impact Award for Economic Development goes to Dubuque Works."

Dubuque Named One of the Ten Smartest Cities on the Planet

2011
Fast Company, a business magazine, recently named Dubuque among their Top 10 Smartest Cities on the Planet. The magazine focused on IBM's impact on the city and the 2009 declaration that Dubuque would become the "first integrated, smart city" in America, with interlocking systems watching the interplay between water, electricity and transportation.

Greater Dubuque Development Garners Awards

2010
Greater Dubuque Development was recognized by the Mid-American Economic Development Council for its programs in Business Retention and Expansion and Workforce Development.

In the category of Business Retention and Expansion, Greater Dubuque scored the top vote of the judges for the Dubuque Sustainability Innovation Consortium, a new, private-sector driven initiative comprised of Dubuque businesses from manufacturing, technology, service, wholesale, and other industry sectors. Consortium companies represent 1,250 employees and are currently engaged in both the sales and production of green related services/products. Although a work in progress, the goal of the consortium is to connect Dubuque businesses with new market opportunities and possible sales. Greater Dubuque Development, along with the City of Dubuque, organizes and coordinates activities on behalf of the consortium.

Dubuque Named Best Small City to Raise a Family

2010
Citing solid average incomes, good educational prospects, low costs, short commute times, and high rates of home ownership, Forbes.com named Dubuque, Iowa, as The Best Small City to Raise a Family.

"Dubuque's size puts it in a kind of sweet spot: large enough to be a center of industry, small enough to not be overcrowded. An economy that successfully diversified after the collapse of the local manufacturing industry contributes to an unemployment rate that's nearly half the national average, at 6.5%, and a median household income of $48,779. That means most families have the jobs they need. They also don't have to spend a lot of time getting there: Only 2.6% of the population spends an hour or more getting to work," according to the article issued by Forbes.com

Dubuque Honored as World's 3rd Most Livable Community

2010
Dubuque, Iowa, was named a third-place finalist and gold-standard community at the International Awards for Livable Communities. The city competed against communities spanning the globe.

The LivCom Awards is the world's only competition for local communities that focuses on environmental management and the creation of livable communities. The objective of the awards is to encourage best practice, innovation, and leadership in providing a vibrant, environmentally sustainable community that improves the quality of life.

The LivCom Awards were launched internationally in 1997 and are endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme and the scheme is run as a UK Registered Charity. A new country has been represented at the LivCom Awards in each of the past eleven years, and now more 50 countries are regularly represented.

Dubuque Works Cited for Excellence in Economic Development

2010
Greater Dubuque Development was recognized for Excellence in Economic Development for their Dubuque Works - A Workforce Initiative in the category of Human Capital for communities with populations of 25,000-200,000 from the International Economic Development Council.

"We recognize the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation for providing successful strategies to promote new paradigms in economic development in this period of global recovery," said William Best, IEDC chair. "Our awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in communities. The Greater Dubuque Development Corporation is showing that they are at the forefront of the economic development profession and are using innovative and effective practices that can be replicated in other communities."

Through the collaborative partnership of seven community partners - Greater Dubuque Development, Telegraph Herald, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, Iowa Works, Northeast Iowa Community College, Dubuque Area Labor Management Council, and Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque - and funding support from the City of Dubuque, Dubuque Racing Association, and Dubuque County, Dubuque Works addresses workforce needs through unparalleled innovation and unprecedented cooperation.

100 Best Communities for Youth

2010
Because of its commitment to provide healthy, safe and caring environments for young people, Dubuque was named as one of the 100 best communities for youth.

"The 100 Best Communities for Young People are taking bold and effective steps to help their youth graduate and lead healthy, productive lives," said Alma J. Powell, Chair, America's Promise Alliance. "Each community has proven that they are developing programs and implementing initiatives to provide young people with the essential resources they need to graduate from high school and succeed in college and a 21st century career."

Dubuque Named All-Star Community

2010
The Iowa League of Cities recognized Dubuque as a 2010 All-Star Community, one of the most prestigious honors presented by the League to cities.

Innovative efforts in areas such as urban renewal, development, preservation, service sharing and quality of life improvements determine the annual award winners. Dubuque was recognized specifically for its ongoing programs and models for sustainability.

Dubuque's Economic Growth Potential 7th Best in U.S.

2010
Business Facilities magazine gave Dubuque the nod as a Top Metro for Economic Growth Potential (under 200,000 population) in their 2010 Rankings Report.

The key metric for the 2010 Rankings Report was growth. Special emphasis was given to the growth potential of each location's economic development strategy. The Economic Growth Potential category rewards the most effective overall strategy and its successful execution, identifying those who not only have survived the economic downturn but are poised to dominate the emerging New Economy.

"Top Deals of 2009"

2010
IBM’s selection of Dubuque, Iowa, as the site for its new Global Services Technology Delivery Center has again garnered national attention as Site Selection Magazine honored the project as a "Top Deal of 2009."

Site Selection Magazine’s Top Deals are determined by the level of private-sector capital investment, degree of high-value jobs, creativity in negotiations and incentives, regional economic impact, competition for the project and speed to market. But most of all, the "Top Deals" are determined by the companies themselves – the businesses that continue to deploy major capital around the globe despite the difficult financing environment.

Dubuque Ranks #1 in Projected Job Growth

2010
Dubuque surged ahead 156 places in the 2010 Forbes.com rankings, garnering the top spot as the #1 Best Smaller Metro for Projected Job Growth. The ranking is based on three-year annualized figures and compares 184 smaller metro areas with populations ranging from 55,000 to 245,000. Only 15 communities making the grade have smaller populations than Dubuque.

Dubuque also pushed ahead to a 15th place overall ranking on the Best Small Places for Business and Careers, moving up 25 places from its 2009 ranking of 40th.

Dubuque Honored for "Deal of the Year"

2010
Business Facilities magazine has included the IBM-Dubuque Global Technology Services Delivery Center project in their 2009 Economic Development Deal of the Year Awards.

In selecting "IBM Searches the World and Finds Dubuque, Iowa," the projected direct, indirect, and induced economic impact for output, employment, and income was heavily considered by a panel of expert, independent judges, along with a subjective analysis of the overall economic development efforts.

Dubuque 3rd Best in U.S. for Job Growth

2010
Dubuque's job growth has been cited as among the best in the entire U.S. by Careerbuilder.com. In comparing the 281 largest metros in the U.S., Dubuque's job growth of 2.1% ranked as third best in the nation. Of the 77 metros that saw job gains, Dubuque was one of just three that saw growth of better than 2%.

Dubuque Named Top Ten Most Affordable Places to Live and Work

2009
Dubuque was named one of the ten 'Most Affordable Places to Live and Work' by Sperling's Best Places based on having a good supply of jobs, low cost of living, affordable housing, and a great quality of life.

Dubuque Named a 'Crown Community'

2009
American City & County magazine named Dubuque a 'Crown Community' in recognition of outstanding leadership in local government. Dubuque's nomination featured the partnerships and collaboration among the City of Dubuque, Greater Dubuque Development Corp., State of Iowa, Iowa Department of Economic Development, Iowa Workforce Development, Dubuque Initiatives, area colleges and universities, and local financial institutions that resulted in IBM's decision to locate a new global technology service delivery center that will employ 1,300 in downtown Dubuque.

Click here to view digital version of the magazine.

Greater Dubuque Recognized for Service to Existing Businesses

2009
Greater Dubuque Development was recognized by the Mid-American Economic Development Council for its service to existing businesses. Greater Dubuque's InfoAction program was ranked #1 as the judges noted that the program produces a real record of results as indicated by its superior benchmarking, and that the overall program is outstanding, well documented, and professionally executed.

Dubuque Wins Award for Excellence in Economic Development

2009
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke awarded Dubuque the 2009 Excellence in Economic Development Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation-led Strategies. Locke said Dubuque received the award for its commitment to research-based, market driven economic development in helping grow the local economy.

“The city of Dubuque represents the best and brightest in 21st century economic development,” Locke said. “Excellence Award winners exemplify the importance of supporting regional strategies to ensure American communities succeed in the global marketplace and create higher-skill, higher-wage jobs.”

“Dubuque sets the gold standard for a community taking charge of its economic destiny by revitalizing its downtown historic district in order to attract new businesses and dramatically increase tourism,” Senator Tom Harkin said. “These revitalized areas, along with the city’s business-friendly environment, have made Dubuque a magnet for new businesses and industries. The 2009 Excellence in Economic Development award will continue to make Dubuque a role model for cities around the country.”

Dubuque Named to 'America's Top 100 Places to Live'

2009
RelocateAmerica.com, a website that provides relocating consumers and area residents with access to local community resources, has included Dubuque in its annual listing of 'America's Top 100 Places to Live for 2009.'

"With the increasing concern on our nation's economy and recovering housing market, we approached this year's list with a different lens than in previous years. We concentrated on the outlook for future growth and ability to rebound in the communities that we selected," said Steve Nickerson, president and CEO. "We looked at the local government and the business leadership in each community as we considered this year's winners. We selected communities with visionary leaders, improving or thriving economies including housing & realization of "green" initiatives."

Best Business Retention and Expansion Program

2009
Greater Dubuque Development’s InfoAction program was recognized as the top program in North America for a mid-sized community with a population under 100,000. The awards are judged on the success of the marketing/communications plan, improvements to the business climate, measurable results and outcomes, and the business survey plan.

2008 Top Ten Metro

2009
Dubuque was named as a “2008 Top Ten Metro” with population less than 200,000. The award comes as recognition of successful economic development project generation.