Our Agency
CAT Review Committee Minutes - October 2020
ENHANCE IOWA
COMMUNITY ATTRACTION & TOURISM REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES
Iowa Economic Development Authority
Telephonic Meeting Only: +1 515-348-6300
Conference ID: 360 545 312#
Thursday, October 1, 2020
9:35 a.m.
COMMUNITY ATTRACTION & TOURISM REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES
Iowa Economic Development Authority
Telephonic Meeting Only: +1 515-348-6300
Conference ID: 360 545 312#
Thursday, October 1, 2020
9:35 a.m.
Committee Members in Attendance |
Other Board Members in Attendance |
---|---|
Mike Broshar |
John Burns |
Kyle Carter |
Rita Frahm |
Doug Boone |
Emily Ginneberge |
Pat Deignan |
Lisa Hein |
Valerie Van Kooten |
Mary Wells |
Staff Members in Attendance |
|
Alaina Santizo |
|
Jessica O’Riley |
|
Lisa Connell |
|
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Broshar called the meeting to order at 9:41 a.m. Five Committee members were present. The agenda was approved. The minutes from the August 20, 2020 meeting were approved.
REPORTS
Ms. Santizo gave the Program Manager’s Report dated September 21, 2020:
COMMUNITY ATTRACTION & TOURISM (CAT)
Applications Received: 100 Next Application Deadline: TBD
Funded Projects: 80
CAT Amount Awarded: $25,036,725.00
Total CAT Project Costs: $325,449,779
CAT Funds Currently Available
$1,303,062.11
Small Population Area Applications
Legislation requires that one-third of each annual CAT allocation be reserved for small population area applications each year. The chart below summarizes the status of this requirement:
Year |
1/3 CAT Allocation |
Awards to Small Population Areas |
Amount Above or (Below) Requirement |
---|---|---|---|
FY2017 |
$1,666,666 |
$3,122,498 |
$1,455,832 |
FY2018 |
$1,666,666 |
$3,452,505 |
$1,785,839 |
FY2019 |
$1,666,666 |
$2,701,200 |
$1,034,534 |
FY2020 |
$1,666,666 |
$1,864,804 |
$198,138 |
FY2021 |
$1,666,666 |
$1,586,877.00 |
($79,789) |
Pending CAT Applications
There are currently 3 pending application requesting approximately $2,000,000:
Project |
CAT Request |
Total Project Cost |
Project Status |
---|---|---|---|
Vikings Activity Center (Northwood) |
$500,000 |
$5,357,730 |
Committee Review |
Jackson County Fair & Extension / 4H Outreach Center |
$500,000 |
$1,893,432 |
Committee Review |
Sub-total (Small Pop. Area Projects) |
1,000,000 |
$7,251,162 |
|
ConnectCR (Cedar Rapids) |
$1,000,000 |
$12,438,140 |
Committee Review |
Sub-total (Large Pop. Area Projects) |
$1,000,000 |
$12,438,140 |
|
TOTALS |
$2,500,000 |
$19,689,302 |
|
APPLICATIONS
City of Cedar Rapids // ConnectCR
Project representatives provided an update to the Board. Discussion included an update from the community damage caused by the derecho storm, the fundraising gap and timeline needed to secure project funds. Construction for the project is slated to begin in the spring of 2021.
City of Northwood & Northwood-Kensett Community School District // Vikings Activity Center Project representatives provided an update to the Board. Discussion included the reduced project cost and additional fundraising completed since the last meeting.
Jackson County Fair Association // Jackson County Fair & Extension / 4-H Outreach Center
Project representatives provided an update to the Board and further refined the project budget between the Fair Association use and the Extension office use. The applicant also reduced the CAT grant request to $350,000.
Committee Action on Applications/Recommendations to Board
Next Steps & Direction to Staff
Mr. Broshar developed and shared a spreadsheet listing each project currently under review with the total project cost, CAT request and fundraising gap. This spreadsheet offered a suggested award amount for each project as a starting point for discussion purposes. Committee discussion included the requirement for awards to small population areas.
On a motion by Mr. Boone and seconded by Mr. Deignan, the CAT Committee forwarded the City of Cedar Rapids // ConnectCR project to the Enhance Iowa Board with a recommendation that a CAT grant be awarded in the amount of $500,000, contingent on completed fundraising by January 31, 2021.
On a motion by Mr. Deignan and seconded by Mr. Carter, the CAT Committee forwarded the City of Northwood & Northwood-Kensett Community School District // Vikings Activity Center project to the Enhance Iowa Board with a recommendation that a CAT grant be awarded in the amount of $453,000, contingent on completed fundraising within 90 days.
On a motion by Ms. Van Kooten and seconded by Mr. Carter, the CAT Committee forwarded the Jackson County Fair Association // Jackson County Fair & Extension / 4-H Outreach Center project to the Enhance Iowa Board with a recommendation that a CAT grant be awarded in the amount of $350,000, contingent on completed fundraising within 90 days.
OTHER BUSINESS
No other business.
CLOSING BUSINESS
The next CAT Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for November 5, 2020 and will be held virtually (if committee review or action is needed).
ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Mr. Boone seconded by Ms. Van Kooten, with no objection, the meeting adjourned at 10:36 a.m.