3. Current Projects

Greeley, CO Well City

With the expansive prairie out one door and the towering Rocky Mountains out the other, Greeley is a city where you can experience the best of the Contemporary West in a place where you can feel equally comfortable in a cowboy hat or a business suit. The Well City Initiative has been spearheaded by Steps to a Healthier Weld County, business leaders from the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment, Banner Health—North Colorado Medical Center, and the City of Greeley. The mission is to “create a culture within the business community where employees can thrive in a healthy environment due to results-oriented health promotion programs”. It is the goal of the Greeley Well City Steering Committee to achieve the first Well City designation in Colorado, when 20% of the workforce (11,789 employees), become employed by Well Workplaces. The committee has gained the support of over 22 companies that represent all areas of the business community—agriculture, manufacturing, higher education, health care, finance and banking, construction, and more.

In 2005, the U.S. Census announced Greeley/Weld County as the fastest growing metro in the nation! Weld County is projected to show significant population growth at 20%, therefore the health status of the community is an utmost priority for the future.

• Criteria: 20%, 20 Companies
• Goal: 2010



Rhode Island Well State

Well City Goes Statewide
Even though Rhode Island is perhaps best known for being the smallest state in the Union, business leaders there have big ideas about improving statewide health and well-being. Business leaders and health professionals in Rhode Island set their sights on taking WELCOA’s Well City USA initiative to the next level. They are striving to become the first Well State in the nation.

In doing so, “Little Rhody” would become the first—and only—to attain such a designation.

• Criteria: 20%
• Well State Designation Goal: 2006



Fort Collins, CO Well City

Fort Collins Business Leaders realize that becoming a Well City is a significant undertaking that will take dedication, vision and collaboration from both the public and private sector. The City of Fort Collins, Poudre Valley Health System, Anheuser-Busch and Miramont Sport Center have already committed to being part of the initiative and working toward a Well Workplace Award.


• Criteria: 20%, 20 Companies
• Goal: 2009



Fremont, NE Well City

Business Leaders are working to promote a favorable business climate and improve the economy and quality of life in the Fremont area. The Well City initiative is a very important piece of the overall Vision to making Fremont, NE a better place to live.

• Criteria: 20%, 20 Companies
• Goal: 2009



Morgantown, WV Well City

Morgantown, WV is the fastest growing city in West Virginia and has been recognized as one of the best small cities in the Country. On top of that, Business leaders recognize the value of a healthy community and are eager to become the very next Well City in the Country.

• Criteria: 20%, 20 Companies
• Goal: 2007



Charleston, SC Well Region

Charleston, SC - The Well Region of Charleston Steering Committee announced a goal in April, 2006 of having at least 20 area companies, employing at least twenty percent of the workforce, obtain national Well Workplace designation with the Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA) over the next thirty-six months. More than 20 Charleston businesses have already committed to a securing the designation for their own company’s well workplace program, and to supporting the business community’s effort to obtain Well Region designation.

The Well Region of Charleston Steering Committee will be providing ongoing support for companies pursuing Well Workplace status. Well Workplace University training for wellness team members will be offered regularly to assure clear understanding of the WELCOA model and implementation. Quarterly Well Workplace Roundtable meetings will provide a forum for mutual support and resource sharing among area employers engaged in strategic workplace wellness efforts. Over forty companies have participated in the Roundtable meetings over the last two years.

• Criteria: 20%, 20 Companies
• Goal: 2009



Mesa County, CO Well County

Mesa County is the largest metropolitan area between Denver, CO and Salt Lake, UT. The Local and State Health Departments have taken the lead in obtaining the support and resources necessary to kick of the very first Well County initiative in the Country.

• Criteria: 30 Companies
• Goal: 2008



Milwaukee, WI - Well City

Greater Milwaukee is a collection of cultures, creativity and cool.

Bold, beautiful and progressive may just be the perfect summation of what Milwaukee has become. Yet the city remains as genuine as ever. It's still the place where you can best experience the very spirit and values America is built on. Arts, entertainment, professional sports, gourmet food and sincere warmth embrace all who visit.

Metro Milwaukee is a collection of cultures, connections and creativity. It's people, places and partnerships. Think of the Greater Milwaukee area as a big city with a small town attitude — the best of both worlds. World-class amenities like the Milwaukee Art Museum, Midwest Airlines Center, Miller Park, superb golf courses and bike trails, our downtown Riverwalk and Summerfest — the biggest and best music festival in America.

Small town treasures like authentic architecture and neighborhoods, terrific ethnic and locally-owned restaurants, festivals, beautiful gardens, parks and boulevards, a spectacular lakefront, real people and nearby hills, forests and even bigger cities.

Metro Milwaukee offers life with exciting twists and cool curves. The perfect place to live, play or visit. The place is a fascinating blend of new energy and old-world charm.

• Criteria: 20%, 20 companies
• Goal: 2010

Photo taken by Roberta Pratt