The communities of Guthrie Center, Missouri Valley and Villisca have received a portion of $80,000 in grants from “Keep Iowa Beautiful,” (KIB) as part of its 2014 Community Beautification Program. This is the fourth year of the grant program that provides a major boost for community beautification and enhancement in communities of 5,000 and under.

Gerry Schnepf, Executive Director of KIB says “In the four year history of the Beautification Grant Program $320,000 has been awarded to over 70 communities in Iowa.” Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp said the DNR is “Pleased that Governor Branstad has designated April as Keep Iowa Beautiful Month,” and that “The DNR is committed to helping Iowans build vibrant and beautiful communities.”

In the KJAN listening area, the Dora Taylor Community Trust in Guthrie Center received a grant amounting to $3,500 for a sign project. The City of Guthrie Center received $3,893 from KIB for trash receptacles. The City of Missouri Valley received a Keep Iowa Beautiful grant for $5,000 for the Second Street Pocket Park, and the City of Villisca received a grant amounting to $1,858, for the Lover’s Lane Trail Extension.

Funding and reimbursement is available for expenses incurred only after July 1, 2014 and the project must be completed by June 30, 2015. Funding is authorized by the Iowa Legislature from the Solid Waste Alternative Program (SWAP).