The Vision Iowa Board has awarded a total of $135,000 in Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grants for improvements at the French Icarian Village in Corning, and renovations at the Dunlop Wildlife Recreation Area near Orange City. The grants were approved by the Vision Iowa Board at their meeting in Des Moines, Wednesday.

The French Icarian Colony Foundation’s “Garden to Table” Kitchen and Sanitary System Project received a requested $40,000 toward the total $166,945 cost of the project. The award is contingent upon the foundation having completed its fundraising efforts within 60 days. The project includes the renovation of the basement and other areas of the historic dining hall to be used as a state-certified community kitchen, installation of a sanitation system for the dining hall and two public restrooms for
visitors.

And, the City of Orange City received a $95,000 CAT grant for the Dunlop Wildlife Recreation Area Renovations project. That was $2,300 less than they had asked for. The total cost of the project is $516,500. The award is contingent upon the City completing its fundraising efforts within 30 days.

The project will renovate the Dunlop Wildlife Recreation Area by adding an amphitheater, fishing piers, trails, a playground, bathrooms, a bridge to a trailer campground, a bigger open-air shelter, a picnic and camping area, plus new trees, bushes and seeding.

The Vision Iowa Program provides financial incentives to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. Currently, 388 CAT awards have been granted by the board, totaling $145,359,186. The next Vision Iowa Board meeting is scheduled for July 9, 2014, in Des Moines.