Six Buena Vista County Groups Win 2026 Paint Iowa Beautiful Grants

Diamond Vogel's 100th anniversary is about to show up on buildings across Buena Vista County. Six local organizations are among the 100 recipients of the Orange City company's 2026 Paint Iowa Beautiful grants, a milestone round designed by Keep Iowa Beautiful to award exactly one grant for each year of Diamond Vogel's history since its 1926 founding.

The county's winners: the city of Albert City, the Hanover Historical Society, Aurelia Hometown Pride, the Galva Economic Development Corporation, the Buena Vista County Historical Society in Storm Lake, and Varina Hometown Pride. No other Iowa county claimed as many spots in the competitive round, which drew applications from nonprofits, public entities, and private organizations statewide.

Each award covers the cost of Diamond Vogel paints, stains, and primers purchased at any retailer carrying the brand. Recipients buy the materials, do the work, and submit receipts for full reimbursement, with all purchases and project completions required before December 31, 2026. The program targets public-facing buildings, park shelters, historic facades, and community spaces where a fresh coat directly affects how a town looks to its own residents and to visitors.

The six winning organizations represent a geographic spread from Albert City in the northeast corner of the county to Galva and Aurelia farther south, with Storm Lake anchoring the county seat. For the Buena Vista County Historical Society and the Hanover Historical Society, the grants support exterior preservation work on older structures whose upkeep is perpetually underfunded. For Aurelia Hometown Pride, Galva Economic Development, and Varina Hometown Pride, the awards align with downtown streetscape work that signals local investment to prospective businesses and new residents.

Each project requires volunteer coordination, meaning the grants do more than cover paint: they set a deadline, a work plan, and a community rallying point. Organizations will schedule volunteer days, arrange contractor help where needed, and get work done before the year ends. Residents who want to help can reach out directly to whichever group is working in their community.

The improvements will be visible by fall. Watch for fresh exteriors at the BV County Historical Society in Storm Lake, along Aurelia's main corridor, and at the Galva and Varina community facilities as summer volunteer crews get to work.