At a July 11 meeting of the Enhance Iowa Board, staff members for the city of Carroll and citizens presented both sides of the funding debate on the Carroll Public Library expansion project to the Community Attractions and Tourism (CAT) grant committee. The current request for more than $600,000 in funding died for lack of a second at the committee level, but the Enhance Iowa Board asked that the community pull together to fill a nearly $207,000 gap. Carroll City Manager, Mike Pogge-Weaver, says on Tuesday night, the library foundation received some good news on this effort.
He says the aim is to fill that gap and leverage the CAT dollars of between $550,000 and $650,000. Fundraising since the meeting was already well underway before this challenge was made.
Pogge-Weaver adds this is not only a tremendous surprise, it is a shining example of the generosity of the area.
One of the main reasons given by the library foundation for seeking out state dollars is to be able to allow others who rely on that Carroll-area generosity to continue to receive donations as well. Pogge-Weaver says there has been a lot of support for community projects, like Kellan’s Kingdom and the Miracle Field, the Merchants field renovation and the skate park, for example. Even beyond the city, he says, there is a lot of tremendous giving to St. Anthony Regional Hospital, Kuemper Catholic Schools, New Hope and many more.
The next Enhance Iowa Board of Directors meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. in Danville.
