Ames, Iowa, is a progressive, thriving community located in center of the state at the intersection of Interstate 35 and US 30. We are home to 62,000 people including the fast-growing, research-based Iowa State University. The City of Ames offers efficient, reliable, responsive, customer-driven programs and services through more than 18 departments and divisions. Our 550 full-time employees strive to provide Ames citizens with exceptional customer service at the best price. Ames, Iowa, offers residents a high quality of life with clean and safe neighborhoods, lots of green spaces and parks, a wide range of entertainment options, recreation opportunities, miles of hard surface trails, and an abundance of natural beauty. In Ames, we enjoy four distinct seasons and all the opportunity that comes with warm summers (bike trails, outdoor swimming, and golf courses) and cold winters (cross county skiing, ice fishing, and sledding).City of Ames is operated under a city manager form of government with a professional city manager who is provided direction through the elected Ames Mayor and six Ames City Council members. One ex-officio ISU student member specifically represents the interests of Iowa State University students. The City of Ames has a long tradition of supporting strong neighborhoods. Afterall, strong neighborhoods are the building blocks of a vibrant, connected community. The Ames City Council supports neighborhoods through its funding of the Ames Police Department's Safe Neighborhoods Team, the Street 'N'​ Greet Block Party Trailer, Neighborhood Improvement Program grants funding, the Neighborhood News quarterly newsletter, and public outreach and education.