For his work on those initiatives and his many other community-minded efforts, Black was honored with the Go-Getter Award Thursday evening by the Gowrie Development Commission during its annual spring banquet.

Black challenged those at the banquet to also participate in their community.

”Get involved and let’s keep the go in Gowrie,” he said.

Marcie Boerner, a previous winner of the Go-Getter Award, introduced Black by listing his accomplishments.

- Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Phillip DeCastro, president of the Gowrie Development Commission, speaks Thursday evening during the organization's spring banquet held in the Heartland Community Room.

She said Black:

• Helped keep a grocery store in town by raising money for Gowrie Grocery LLC.

• Created a limited liability corporation to buy the local golf course

• Helped to create a partnership between the Gowrie Development Commission and the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.

• Played a leading role in creating tax increment financing and construction incentives.

• Chairs the commission’s Housing Committee

Black is the president of Heartland Bank in Gowrie.