Awards & Recognitions

Omaha by Design Laurels Award (2022)
FIRST AVE received a Laurels Award from Omaha by Design for Access and Mobility! The Laurels Awards aim to recognize the people and projects that shape the metro in inspiring ways. The Access & Mobility Award recognizes an individual, group, organization, or business that has worked to enhance the way we move around the city and how its neighborhoods connect to one another.

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence (2022)
Our Finance Department received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association. This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Bee City USA (2022)
CB received a Bee City USA® designation in recognition of our commitment to improving landscapes for pollinators.

SolSmart Gold (2021)
Council Bluffs received a Gold designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, easier, and more affordable for homes and businesses to go solar. This designation recognizes the City for taking bold steps to encourage solar energy growth and remove obstacles to solar development. 

Technology Community of the Year (2021)
Council Bluffs was named the Iowa Technology Community of the Year last evening at the 2021 Prometheus Awards! 

Tree City USA Award (2019)
Presented by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for enhancing our forest resources and demonstrating the great value of trees. 
 
No. 1 for New and Expanded Corporate Facilities (2019)

For the fourth year in a row, and for the fifth time since 2014, Site Selection Magazine named Omaha-Council Bluffs Number 1 for expanded corporate facilities among areas with populations between 200,000 and 1 million. The award recognized the expansion of Warren Distribution in Council Bluffs.

Paper Anvil Award (2018)
Presented by Public Relations Society of America for the "Unleash CB" campaign.

Top 40 Most Vibrant Art Communities in America (2018)
Recognized by National Center for Arts Research as #6 for medium communities (Omaha-Council Bluffs), specifically mentioning the South Main district, PACE, Harvester Artist Lofts, and public art collection.

No. 1 for New and Expanded Corporate Facilities (2018)
Site Selection Magazine named Omaha-Council Bluffs No. 1 for new and expanded corporate facilities among areas with populations between 200,000 and 1 million. The award recognizes projects in Council Bluffs, such as the West Broadway Reconstruction Project and River’s Edge.

All America City Award (2017)
Presented by National Civic League for community collaborations on the grade-level reading campaign.

Great Places (2017)
Presented by the State of Iowa for the work being done in the Haymarket, including the PACE project/ Harvester II building.

Top 100 Places to Live in America (2017)
Presented by Money Magazine. Council Bluffs was recognized as one of the top 100 best places to live in America based on a healthy economy, affordable living, and quality of life.

Outstanding Event Award  (2017)
Presented by the Iowa Tourism Department for the quality and success of Loessfest 2017. 

Outstanding Website Award (2017)
Presented by Iowa Tourism  Department for UNleashCB.com, a website that serves as the CBCVB's main site while engaging residents via a robust events calendar, a blog, and the UN campaign.

Outstanding Community Award (2017)
Presented by Iowa Tourism Department for the achievements of UNleashCB.com, Loessfest, the newly-redesigned CBCVB Visitor's Guide, and the CBCVB's attraction of conventions and tournaments. 

Environmental and Open Space Award (2017)
Presented by Omaha by Design for the public space design of Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park and its protection of the Missouri River's riparian woodlands and wetlands. 

Mission of Life Award (2017)
Presented to the Council Bluffs Fire Department by the American Heart Association for excellence in responding to cardiac emergencies. 

Partner in Education Award (2017)
Presented by Council Bluffs Community Schools to the Council Bluffs Public Library for outstanding promotion of literacy to children and teens.

Perpetual Design Award (2017)
Presented by Asphalt Paving Association of Iowa for perpetual pavement installed as part of the West Broadway Reconstruction Segment 1.

Recycling Center of the Year (2016)
 Presented by Iowa Recycling Association for the outstanding work of the Council Bluffs Recycling Center. 
 
All-America City Finalist (2016)
Presented by National Civic League for community collaborations.

Paper Anvil Award (2016)
Presented by the Public Relations Society of America for the "Let's Talk About CB Campaign," which successfully engaged thousands of residents in preparation for a new community-wide image campaign. 

Paper Anvil Award (2016)
Presented by the Public Relations Society of America for the success in the promotion and marketing of Loessfest 2016. 

Paper Anvil Award (2016)
Presented by the Public Relations Society of America for the outstanding website detailing the City's Emerald Ash Borer Plan. 

Excellence in Design Award (2016)
Presented by American Institute of Architects (Nebraska Chapter) for the design of the Westwood Park Sign.

Mission of Life Award (2016)
Presented to the Council Bluffs Fire Department by the American Heart Association for excellence in responding to cardiac emergencies. 

Merit Award (2016)
Presented by American Public Works Association (Iowa Chapter) in recognition of the 28th Street Stormwater Pump Station.

Paper Anvil Award (2015)
Presented by Public Relations Society of America for the success in the promotion and marketing of Loessfest 2015. 
 
Gold Citation of Excellence (2015)
Presented by American Marketing Association (Omaha Chapter) for the success of Loessfest 2014.
 
All-America City Finalist (2015)
Presented by National Civic League for community collaborations.
 
Mission of Life Award (2015)
Presented to the Council Bluffs Fire Department by the American Heart Association for excellence in responding to cardiac emergencies. 
 
River City Town of the Year (2015)
Presented by Iowa Reivers Revival for the reclaiming of the riverfront at Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park.

Project of the Year (2015)
Presented by American Public Works Association (Iowa Chapter) in recognition of the 28th Street Stormwater Pump Station.

Partner in Education Award (2015)
Presented by Council Bluffs Community Schools to the Public Works Department for support of school facility improvement projects. 

Field of the Year Award (2014)
Presented by Sports Turf Managers Association for the excellence in design and maintenance at the Council Bluffs Sports Complex.

Honor Award for Engineering Excellence (2014)
Presented by American Council of Engineering Companies for the outstanding engineering and design of Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park.

Great Places in America (2014)
Presented by American Planning Association for the unique design of Bayliss Park that successfully combines traditional "town square" public space with unique public art and architecture. 

Paper Anvil Award (2014)
Presented by Public Relations Society of America for the success in the promotion and marketing of Loessfest 2014. 

Excellence in Snow & Ice Control Award (2014)
Presented by American Public Works Association for Operation's excellence in snow and ice control.