(Des Moines, IA) -- The State of Iowa is announcing $14.1 million in grant funding for four tourism projects. The funds are part of the $100 million Destination Iowa program, designed to invest in transformational projects to bolster the quality of life in Iowa communities and attract visitors and new residents.
Recipients include:
The Hoover Presidential Foundation has been awarded at $5 million grant to support a major renovation and expansion project. Funds will also be used to update interactive displays and modernize the visitor experience, as they learn about Iowa's only U.S. president and his wife, First Lady Lou Henry Hoover. The site in West Branch, Iowa is raising more than $20 million for the entire project.
Cinema Paradiso, LLC has been awarded a $600,000 grant to transform an unoccupied Davenport structure into a two-screen movie theater called The Last Picture House. Backers are trying to raise $3.7 million for the project.
The Webster County Conservation Board and the City of Fort Dodge have been awarded $4 million to support the Central River District Park and Discovery Center. Backers are raising nearly $20 million dollars for the project, The center will have meeting spaces, classrooms, an interpretive area, and scenic Des Moines River overlook. The project also includes a stormwater treatment wetland and in-stream recreational features.
The City of Mason City and Cerro Gordo County have been awarded $4.5 million for several projects including a biking/mountain biking destination.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority began accepting applications on May 9 and will continue to review applications as they arrive through December 31 or until funding runs out.