Photo: City of Dyersville
(Des Moines, IA) -- Dyersville, Iowa which is hosting a major league baseball game this week, is getting a $2.5 (M) million state grant. Dyersville will use the money for a multi-use stadium to host college and pro games and other year-round events. Dyersville is also planning nine ball fields, a hotel, event space, and outdoor amphitheater, near the Field of Dreams movie site.
The award represents 25 percent of the total project investment of $50,000,000, and will be utilized for stadium infrastructure. The stadium is part of a larger, phased project with an initial private investment of $80 million which will include nine ball fields, a hotel and event space, and an outdoor concert amphitheater.
The City of Marion has been awarded $3,000,000 for the development of Marion’s Central Plaza into a four-season gathering space and completion of the CeMar Trail, connecting downtown Marion to Cedar Rapids. Plaza amenities include a dedicated performance space, ice skating loop, fire tables and seating, interactive play sculptures and green space additions. The award represents 40 percent of the total project investment of $9,014,000.
The Danville Railcar project has been awarded $500,000 to purchase and restore a 1937 European Oppeln Boxcar, which will add interpretation and educational opportunities to the existing Anne Frank Pen Pal exhibit in Danville. The project also includes parking lot and accessibility improvements. The award represents 88 percent of the total project investment of $566,338.
The funding is through the $100 million Destination Iowa program, which invests in attractions designed to bolster the quality of life in Iowa communities and attract visitors and new residents.