Nancy Loudon, Creston City Council member, is among 230 city officials from across the state to receive recognition for their participation in the 2011-2012 Municipal Leadership Academy (MLA).

MLA is a four-part workshop series conducted every other year after the regular municipal elections. It is one of the few training opportunities that give city officials in Iowa a broad-based look at the many aspects of city government. Topics covered during the workshops included council meeting procedures, city budgeting and community betterment. To be considered an MLA graduate, city officials needed to register and attend at least three out of four MLA parts.

MLA offers a comprehensive overview of municipal government and is presented by staff of the Iowa League of Cities, Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Iowa and the office of state and local government programs at Iowa State University Extension.