Many local businesses in town have won awards or have been recognized on a large scale for their excellent work, such as Kathy's Kakes and Wilson's Photography. Our local Hallmark offers a large variety for a small-town location. Laree's offers wines that cannot be found for miles around. The Little Red Schoolhouse is now a family name for us. - Jim Tegtmeier, Tegtmeier Piano Tuning

Our beautiful Starlight Cinema, skate park at the FCC, our Farmer's Market, our gorgeous Mill (my favorite site in all of Independence). Our Band program and Band Shell and Teacher's Park. Our fantastic 4th of July Celebration that brings people to town from all over. I love my hometown! - Dodie Henningsen

I enjoy knowing my neighbors and that we all look out for one another and our families. - Wendy Harrison, Fayette County Community Services Case Management Supervisor

A mentoring program that matches over 125 kids with caring adults and is actively promoted/supported throughout the community. I'll bet but don't know that our per capita mentoring involvement is second to none! - Joe Olsen

Great idea to be upbeat and positive. Love your commitment and attitudes; people like you make this community a great place to live! - Mary Beth and Dolph Leytze

The Independence area is also home to a cultural resource, the Frank Lloyd Wright designed home of Lowell and Agnes Walter called 'Cedar Rock.' This beautiful home perches on the banks of the legendary Wapsipinicon River and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Annually Cedar Rock attracts thousands of visitors from across the U.S. and abroad who are always encouraged to visit Independence shops and restaurants. - Katie Karsten, Cedar Rock State Park

Not only do we have Heartland Acres Agribition Center, but the Buchanan Co. Historical Society provides much of the agricultural artifacts on display - what a great team. Don't forget the Wapsipinicon Mill is also listed on the Natl. Reg. of Historic Places (as well as some other of the downtown buildings) and works as an affiliate site of Silos & Smokestacks....tourism at it's finest!!! - Leanne

Independence is a tidy town with many shops. Homes and green spaces are well cared for. There are many opportunities for physical activity/play including 2 golf courses, renovated tennis courts at the HS and parks of all sizes scattered throughout town. - Joe Olsen

We have a great Parks and Recreation department that offers great parks and facilities with programming enjoyed by adults and youth alike. - Craig K. Coffman Executive, Vice President Security State Bank

We have an outlying community college center where students can earn college credit from Hawkeye Community College without driving to Waterloo. - Audrey

We are a church community! We have many churches for families to chose from and many programs for families and kids to be a part of. Our area churches work together more than ever to support needs right here in our town. - Lisa Fischels

My husband and I were both born in Independence, left and returned to raise our family here because we felt so fortunate as to what Independence had done for us. Where else could we have worked, relaxed in a very safe environment, been educated, and felt like we belonged... more than in this very community? The volunteers in this community are always the ones willing to make Independence a better place for EVERYONE. They do these things, may it be school board, city business, non-profit or whatever, it is all for the betterment of everyone who has the great opportunity to live here. People who volunteer have that passion to make life better. - Vicki Jo McClintock

I think that one of the greatest positives that has happened to our community in the past few years is that when many of us longtime residents were feeling extremely discouraged by yet another failed bond issue, a group of younger residents took on that bond referendum task! I think they're doing a fantastic job and want to thank them for their service to our community! Another definite positive was the formation of the park by the river. It's my favorite place to walk when I'm home. And moving the 4th of July fireworks to that park from MHI is another local improvement, in my opinion. I love living in Independence. It's been my home for most of 70 years. I plan to be around for many more years, and hope to see the grand opening of a new high school which will happen one day! It has to!! Susan Garber Watkins