AMES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Transportation is selling sponsorships of the state’s rest areas as a way to raise money. The DOT officially began soliciting bids for rest area sponsors this month. Bids must be received by Oct. 9.  The minimum bid accepted for sponsorship of a rest area is $7,500 for a three-year contract.   Businesses may sponsor one or more of the state’s 37 interstate rest areas.

In exchange for the money a sponsor gets a business name or logo placed on a sign with a blue background. A signs will be posted at a highway entrance to the rest area and inside the facility.  The DOT says the money will help maintain rest areas, modernize outdated facilities and for other state highway purposes.