Jasper County Conservation awarded $500K Destination Iowa grant

Jasper County Conservation is so close to meeting its fundraising goal for the long-awaited environmental education center, especially now that the project was awarded a $500,000 Destination Iowa grant on March 10 from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Gov. Kim Reynolds.

There is still about 13 percent of remaining funds, or approximately $300,000, to collect for the estimated $2.2 million environmental education center. Keri Van Zante, director of Jasper County Conservation, told Newton News the funding from the Destination Iowa grant is a boost for conservation and the community.

Van Zante added, “Paired with the ARPA dollars provided by the Jasper County Board of Supervisors and generous private donors, we are within $300,000 of being able to fund the center in its entirety! This is the time for our community to contribute and help make the environmental education center a reality.”

Destination Iowa grants totaling $115 million — $100 million from the initial investment and another $15 million for rural communities that did not receive grants in previous funding rounds — were distributed to 46 projects around the state, with a combined total investment of more than $480 million.

“Destination Iowa has inspired communities in all corners of the state to dream big about projects that will bolster quality of life and attract newcomers,” Reynolds said. “The demand is so high, especially in rural areas, that I’ve extended the program to help more rural communities realize those dreams.”

Conservation received funds from the additional $15 million supplement.

IEDA opened the Destination Iowa program in May 2022 and accepted applications through Dec. 31, 2022. Applications were scored based on eligibility, completeness and the project’s ability to meet the program goal of creating transformational tourism attractions.

Carol Kramer, the longest serving member on the Jasper County Conservation Board, said the environmental educational center has been a dream of her’s for many years. The funding from the Destination Iowa grant, she said, is going to enable conservation staff to get closer to meeting their goal, and making Kramer’s dream come true.

“It’s going to let us do so many things, especially for the children of Jasper County. And also for the adults because it will be a center for all the entities that we manage,” Kramer said. “We’re going to bring visitors, too. I’ve been to other nature centers in the state and they are very well-attended by tourists.”

The state-of-the-art environmental education center is to be located on 40 acres of land, which is the park of the old county care facility. With 7,200 square feet of space and features like a display area, laboratory, classrooms and an outdoor viewing platform, the center provides space for public use in addition to staff use.

“We’re going to bring a lot to Jasper County,” Kramer said.