Storm Lake Community Outreach
Storm Lake, Iowa
Keri Navratil, City Manager
Situated in rural northwest Iowa, the city of Storm Lake (population 11,269) has embraced community equity and inclusion with a positive, proactive approach for more than three decades, becoming one of the most diverse cities in Iowa and the Midwest.
Shifting demographics and an increase in diversity have contributed to the community’s growth and a 50-percent expansion of the local workforce. Within the community, approximately 30 languages are spoken. The community school district enrollment is 87 percent non-Caucasian, and the local parochial school system is 54 percent non-Caucasian.
While the population in some areas has declined, immigrant growth makes Storm Lake an anomaly, with a vibrant economy and visible cultural diversity. The community recognized equity and inclusiveness as a key to its future and seized its opportunity to excel. When asked what we love and are proud of about the community, we are quick to respond that it’s the diverse culture. Despite the city’s track record, the COVID-19 pandemic hampered its inclusiveness initiatives because of the number of languages spoken and the fact that many residents had arrived from countries where they feared interactions with the government and people in authority, or where the vaccine was mistrusted.
As the COVID pandemic evolved, the city’s approach to inclusiveness had to change as well. Community service officers (CSOs) served a vital role as liaisons between the police department, the general city government, and the ethnic community. With a grant from the local Tyson Fresh Meats, the city converted a military surplus vehicle to the YumVee Ice Cream Truck. A grant, along with private donations, funded Operation Hoop Dreams and PopUp BBQ events at a local park. The Bridge, a nonprofit organization for Storm Lake youth that grinds its own coffee bean blends, partnered with the police department for two special blends, Donut Dunker Blend and Be a Better Human Blend. A percentage of the sales proceeds goes toward police community outreach programs.
Immigrants new to the community and long-time community residents all benefit from these efforts. New immigrants are assisted in their transition to a new home that is often vastly different from their previous country. Interactions become comfortable for residents as they come to value the inclusiveness that makes Storm Lake home for everyone.
The effectiveness of the city’s efforts is evident in the proliferation of multicultural immigrant-owned retail businesses and restaurants. The growing workforce drives increases in local manufacturing. Concurrent with a vibrant economy fueled by diversity is stability and growth in local government revenues. Stable revenues not only support delivery of key public services, but also make possible community programs that offer leadership opportunities and information sharing in multilingual settings on such topics as leadership, government operations, public safety, rental housing rules, education, and access to health care.
Community engagement through outreach is a key to the success and transformation of Storm Lake. The city celebrates diversity through many events, including the July 4th Parade of Nations, Fiesta Latina, Asian New Year, and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Participation of all residents at community events is an indicator that barriers have been overcome.
Local government leadership and commitment by City Manager Keri Navratil and Police Chief Chris Cole ensure that Storm Lake will continue to be an inviting home for people from around the world. The thoughtful approach and vision of local government officials have produced a transformation leading to continued growth and vibrancy in this rural Iowa community. Equity and inclusion enhance life for everyone in Storm Lake, and the future promises to be bright.
