The city of Centerville won the statewide community of the year award. City officials say the acknowledgement is the result of growth and looking ahead to the future.
The city was named the recipient of the award from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development earlier this month.
Jared Hybertson is the local economic development coordinator. He said these kinds of positions are part of the success of the city.
“For a small town of, let’s say 920 people, it’s fairly rare across the state to have a full-time economic director in that role as paid staff," Hybertson said. "So, I just think having someone daily working on a variety of things, including housing, really drives the needle.”
When it comes to the future, Hybertson said they want to be ready for growth.
“We’ve recently added a new housing development subdivision, all the infrastructure is in and complete as of around the first of the year," Hybertson said. "We’ve got a 14-acre piece of ground that we’ve purchased a few years back with the intention of creating a new housing development, and it took a lot of work to get it to where it is now.”
He said that effort is buoyed by supporting local business and realistic expectations.
“We see growth on the horizon for Centerville,' Hybertson said. "It’s maybe not booming growth, but its slow, steady growth which is great for our small-town downtown businesses and school system.”
In an era of declining small towns, Hybertson said these efforts are creating a bright future for Centerville and its residents.