 |
Search Sponsored
|
|
| 10/23/2008 2:20:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Local 'Great Places' committee begins planning project summary
State Core Group to hear initial West Union proposals Nov. 7
By Mike Van Sickle
|
| TAKING THE FIRST STEPS TOWARD A GREAT PLACE – The West Union-Iowa Great Places Planning Committee was joined by Francis Boggus, Iowa Great Places coordinator, on Thursday in beginning to develop the community’s project summary work plan. After submitting the initial summary on Oct. 29, a representative or representatives from the committee will make a brief presentation to the State Core group in early November. The core group will then provide advice on the West Union projects and which state agencies could provide possible grants/funding. Participating in last Thursday’s meeting were (front, l-r) Michael Lauer, Tobin Britt, Jamie Hoey, assistant West Union-Iowa Great Places project manager Robin Bostrom; (back) West Union-Iowa Great Places project manager Amie Johansen, Jane Blumhagen, Francis Boggus, Greg Ptacek, and Dick Woodard. (Mike Van Sickle photo)
|
|
The West Union-Iowa Great Places Planning Committee named Amie Johansen as its project manager on Thursday, Oct. 16. Johansen, who also serves as West Union City Clerk and co-owner of Tap't Out in West Union, will be assisted by Main Street West Union director Robin Bostrom.
Johansen's chief duties are to maintain contact with and work with Iowa Great Places coordinator Francis Boggus to develop the project summary work plan for the community's Great Places proposal.
The summary is required to be submitted to Boggus by Wednesday, Oct. 29. The West Union-Iowa Great Places Committee will then make its respective plan presentation to state agencies on Friday, Nov. 7 (tentatively).
Boggus explained to the local committee that it would be provided 30 minutes to provide information on West Union's four project proposals to the State Core Group.
"This is not a pitch for your project. Use the time to tell what each of the projects is about, what they are for, and who benefits from them," he stressed. "No selling. You have already successfully made your sales pitch to be an Iowa Great Place."
In addition to a question-and-answer period, the State Core Group will then provide advice on the four projects and which state agencies could help with funding/grants.
In its initial Iowa Great Places application, West Union listed four projects: Streetscape, Walkable/Bikeable Community, Courthouse Square Plaza, and Energy Efficiency/Zero Water Runoff.
Named Thursday as local project leaders were Tobin Britt and Michael Lauer, Streetscape; Karla Organist, Jane Blumhagen, and Jamie Hoey, Walkable/Bikeable Community; Greg Ptacek and Vicki Rowland, Courthouse Square Plaza; Dick Woodard and Robin Bostrom, Energy Efficientcy/Zero Water Runoff.
Boggus explained that Iowa Great Places grant applications are for infrastructure needs only. Infrastructure does include design/consultation if used for a community-approved project.
Projects receiving funding have to be maintained by the community for 20 years, or funds are required to be repaid to the state. The City of West Union serves as the local fiscal agent for the program.
"Iowa Great Places works as the agent in reimbursing the monies spent, which usually occurs within two weeks," added the state official. "Great Places cuts through the bureaucracy. It (Great Places) is result-oriented."
Boggus did encourage the local Great Places Board and its community leaders to contact local legislators to increase Iowa Great Places funding back to its original $3 million.
Currently, funding is at $2 million, with West Union and the three other newly named communities to split $500,000 of the funding as needed. The additional funds are split amongst the other current Iowa Great Places. Grants require a 10-20 percent local match.
The local contingent was reminded that the state considers Iowa Great Places a "cut above" other grant applicants. Participants are also provided information on where to find additional grant funding.
West Union's three-year participation in Iowa Great Places is scheduled to officially begin in February 2009 and will run through June 30, 2012. First-year funding would begin in July 2009.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
|
| | S | M | T | W | T | F | S | | |
|
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
| 4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
| 11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
| 18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
| 25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
|
|
