Turner III Leadership and Memorial Scholarship Award

Dave Dunfee, of Cass County was presented with the Southwest Iowa Coalition’s Austin B. Turner III Leadership and Memorial Scholarship Award on April 16 in Corning, for his years of dedication to regional development work. The personal award will be accompanied by a $500 scholarship which is presented to a graduating high school senior within the winner’s school district through a $250 donation made by the Turner family to match the standing $250 provided by the Coalition.

Austin B. Turner III was a champion for rural Iowa. In recognition of his life-long

dedication, commitment, and service to southwest Iowa and the state, the Southwest

Iowa Coalition created an annual award in his memory. Groups and individuals in

southwest Iowa who participate in the Southwest Iowa Coalition annually nominate

worthy individuals whom, by their dedication, commitment and service to their city,

region and state, are making rural Iowa a better place to live.

Dave Dunfee is a retired regional director for the United States Department of

Agriculture’s Rural Development. Throughout his years with Rural Development, he assisted in the development of organizations, including the Southwest Iowa Coalition. He was a constant source of information about services and resources that could be accessed for development projects in southwest Iowa. He was a long time member of the coalition, attending meetings and networking with development leadership.

Dunfee turned to public service shortly after his retirement two years ago and was a successful candidate for a position with the Cass County Board of Supervisors. He also continues to be active with the Cass-Atlantic Development Corporation, working on local and regional development projects.

The Southwest Iowa Coalition was formed in 1991 as a rural, regional, development organization. It remains volunteer and membership-driven and now has memberships throughout 16 counties. Its membership is comprised of voluntary, dues-paying organizations, institutions, private citizens, businesses, industries and and local government. Members meet regularly at locations throughout the membership region.

SWICO serves as a regional support system to local development initiatives and

organizations. Its events and meetings are open to the general public.

Information about becoming a coalition member or learning more about its partners, advocacy issues or regional projects can be found at www.swico.org.

The regional office is located in Red Oak and can be contacted at 712-623-5521 or e-mail at swico@swico.org.