The Horizons Community Leadership Program to Reduce Poverty helps communities build stronger leaders to address economic issues and find ways to implement change. Horizons is funded by the Northwest Area Foundation and implemented by Iowa State University Extension in partnership with Iowa citizens.

In 2008 Columbus Junction was selected to participate in the Horizons program. Since then dozens of community members have become engaged in community development through study circles and leadership training. Currently Columbus Junction is the Community Visioning phase of this 18-month program.