Eight KJAN listening area communities have cleared a hurdle in their quests to become one of eight-to 10 “Blue Zone” Project communities in Iowa. Blue Zones sponsor Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield Thursday, released the list of 58 communities that were invited to submit a full application to become a Blue Zones demonstration site. The 58…which included Atlantic, Audubon, Carroll, Denison, Glenwood, Harlan, Manning and Red Oak…were selected from among 84 towns that had completed the first step in the process, by submitting a statement of interest.

A final list of 10 communities will be selected to host site visits from February 27^th 2012 through March 16^th. The selection process will culminate with the selection of the 1^st round of demonstration sites in May 2012. The winning community will gain the opportunity for better health, greater longevity, and receive $1-million to improve its recreational infrastructure and promote wellness.

The next step in the process though, is for cities which made the November 23^rd cut, to submit the full application, by no later than January 4^th. For more information on the Blue Zone Project, surf to http://www.bluezonesproject.com/