Iowa CAT Enhance Community Attraction and Tourism grants Marla Quinn, Grants and Municipal Coordinator
ECIA Services • Community • Fundraising Consulting Development and • Housing City Services • Transit • Community Services • Economic • Transportation and Planning Development • Employment and Training
CAT Grant Overview • Enhance Iowa provides grant funds to assist projects that provide recreational , cultural , entertainment and educational attractions, as well as sports tourism. • Deadlines: January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15 by 4:30 p.m. • Funds must be primarily used for vertical infrastructure • Two years to spend the money
Overview of ECIA’s CAT grant success
City of Maquoketa Area Recreational Center, The ARC Date of Award: 4/13/2005 Requested Amount: $900,000 - Award Amount: $825,000 Project Description: A 36,000-square foot facility with indoor swimming pool, outdoor mist plaza, gym, jogging/walking track, an exercise/aerobic room, and weight room.
of DeWitt City Sixth Avenue Reconstruction and Streetscape – Phases I & II Date of Awards: 7/13/2005 - 7/11/2007 Requested Amounts: $500,000 - $600,000 Award Amounts: $250,000 - $120,000 Project Description: Both involved street reconstruction, increased parking, decorative lighting and concrete, landscaping, and (Ph I) the addition of the City’s logo in the middle of the intersection, and (Ph II) two John Bloom entrance sculptures, and the relocation of a German Hausbarn from Schleswig, Germany to Lincoln Park.
Dubuque Community Ice & Recreation, Inc Community Ice Center Date of Award: 6/11/2008 Requested Amount: $1,500,000 - Award Amount: $675,000 Project Description: The community ice center will feature a rink and seating for 1,000 people and will include a community room capable of hosting up to 100 people, a dedicated hockey, and ice skating pro shop, six locker rooms, and a concession stand.
City Manchester of Manchester Whitewater Park Date of Award: November 13, 2013 Requested Amount: $300,000 - Award Amount: $300,000 Project Description: Construction of a whitewater course spanning approximately 900 feet, turning a frequently flooding river from a liability into an asset.
City Dubuque of Everyone Deserves a Chance to Play Date of Award: 1/9/2019 Requested Amount: $500,000 - Award Amount: $500,000 Project Description: Miracle League of Dubuque (Co- Applicant) All-Inclusive Baseball Field and Playground. Project will be located in the heart of the city at Veteran’s Memorial Park.
Important Considerations Before applying • Financial Support – CAT is absolutely last money in • County • City Recently, CAT awards have been averaging between 12- • Private 15% of the total project costs. • Other sources • Fundraising • Documentation of all of the above
Important of the Elements application • Threshold Eligibility • Eligible Applicant • Benefits • Local Support • Vertical Infrastructure • Fundraising
Important of the Elements application • Feasibility Worth 25 points; 15 point • Business Plan minimum required • Marketing Plan • Management Team
Important of the Elements application Worth 25 points; 15 point • Economic Impact minimum required • Fits with community’s economic development/workforce recruitment plans • Quality of life • Attracts visitors from 50 miles • Jobs, wages, benefits • Long-term tax generation
Important of the Elements application Worth 10 points; 6 point minimum required • Leveraged Activity • Other projects that may be created • How project will stimulate creation of other activities • Multi-phased development
Important of the Elements application Worth 25 points; no minimum points required • Fundraising/Local Match Donor Name Contribution Contribution Cash/Pledge/ Date Amount In-Kind Ross Poldark 11/27/18 $50,000 Cash James Fraser 12/1/18 $25,000 Pledge Caroline Ennis 12/15/18 $2,500 In-Kind
Important of the Elements application • Planning Principles Worth 10 points; no minimum points required • Efficient use of resources • Variety of transportation choices • Sense of place • Conservation of open space • Safety, livability, & revitalization • Conserve natural resources
After Submitted the grant is • IEDA staff determines if applicants meet threshold eligibility • Applicant presents project to CAT Review Committee • Application is scored and may be recommended for funding
Cost To Write a CAT grant • $5,000 (or less) • What you get • Professional Grant Writing* • Liaison • Printing and assembly • Packaging and sending to Des Moines
My experience Process with this • Reach out to the program officer before you start! • Determine if the group you are working with is ready to apply. • City and County financial support is required – start these processes early. • Plan on making more than one trip to Des Moines • It all comes down to the project’s match.
Planning Apply to • Defined Project • Fundraising • County and City Cash Match • Local Support Materials • Economic Impact Materials
Questions? Marla Quinn , Grants & Municipal Coordinator mquinn@ecia.org
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