The Self Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) is offering a new flower program to promote flowers throughout downtown Fort Dodge.  Businesses in the SSMID district are eligible to receive the planters.  The program began this spring.  SSMID has had a great response so far and given out the 38 planters they initially ordered.

Downtown businesses that receive a planter from SSMID must agree to maintain the flowers and make them look nice.  If the SSMID Board notices that the planters are not being kept up to par, the business will have 2 weeks to make the necessary improvements or SSMID will take them away. 

Businesses who keep their planters looking nice will be recognized with the Planter of the Month award.  "They will receive a certificate of appreciation from the SSMID Board and recognition on the SSMID website," explains SSMID President Rich Seltz.  "Along with that, at the end of the year we'll be picking one grand prize winner and SSMID will pay for up to $150 of flowers for the following summer."  The June Planter of the Month recognition went to Abstract Associates.

If you would like to reserve a planter for this year or next, please complete a form and submit it to Stephanie Sheetz at the City.  There is currently a waiting list but the SSMID board is looking at ordering 20 more planters to give out.  Businesses that are interested in the planters who are located outside the SSMID district can contact Mike Crimmins at (515) 570-5511.  You may call (515) 576-8191 for more details.