Dr. Joe and Dr. Kaci Vela receiving Community Pride Award

The Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance will present the next quarterly Community Pride Award to Dr. Joe and Dr. Kaci Vela on Monday, Nov. 15 at 4:30 p.m. at 1804 E. Washington.

Both will be recognized with a ribbon-cutting.

The award was created to recognize and honor chamber businesses and organizations that display exceptional beautification and exterior enhancements to improve their properties, all the while encouraging others to do the same.

Several other businesses are located in the development, including Orthodontic Associates of Iowa, Children’s Dental Center of Southeast Iowa, American EyeCare, and the latest entry into the area, Scooter’s Coffee.

Kristi Perry, executive vice president of the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance, says that it’s terrific that the Velas decided to put back into the city.

“This is a beautiful development on the east side of our community,” Perry said. “We’re so fortunate the Vela’s decided to invest in Mt. Pleasant.”

The Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors created the Community Pride Award in 2012.

Each year, three to four recipients have been honored with the award.

Recent recipients of the Community Pride Award include Iowa Wesleyan University, Innovairre, Henry County Courthouse, Lomont Molding and Farm Credit Services of America, to name a few.

The Velas are next in line to be recognized for their work to help improve Mt. Pleasant.

Comments: hunter.moeller@southeastiowaunion.com