Enhance Hamilton County gives away thousands in local grants
By Lori Berglund — Daily Freeman-Journal EditorArticle Photos
Nickels and quarters dropped in slots across the state trickled back to Hamilton County Monday afternoon as the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation awarded more than $91,000 in grants generated by gambling revenues.
Enhance Hamilton County President Brian Holt welcomed a crowd of award recipients to the Blairsburg Opera House and reminded them that the program was made possible by legislative action that directed a portion of the state's gambling revenues back to counties that do not have a gaming facility.
Each year, eight-tenths of 1 percent of gambling proceeds are sent back to such foundations in casino-free counties. The basis for the legislation was to help those counties benefit from the gambling industry, just as do those counties that house a casino. Since gamblers come from across the state, but spend their money in restaurants, hotels, and shopping centers near a gaming site, this law assures that at least a portion of the dollars they lose come back to their home county.
The Enhance Hamilton County Foundation has sought to make sure these dollars are well-used throughout the county and support a variety of programs that enrich the quality of life for local residents, according to Holt.
While available funds to award climbed to $91,538, the board this year received some $230,000 in funding requests, Holt noted. That's good news for the board, because it means the word is getting out that these dollars are available. Of that total, 75 percent is given away annually, with the remaining 25 percent used to create an endowment.
There were 38 grant reviews and a team of reviewers, including Enhance Hamilton County board members and individual residents from across the county - enough reviewers so that any conflict of interest could be avoided, Holt noted.
Indeed, the largest grant recipient on Monday was a county-wide entity that is in the midst of the biggest building project to come to Hamilton County for a long, long time. The Hamilton Hospital Foundation was awarded $15,000 to be used in an information system in the new hospital.
Lori Foster, foundation coordinator, accepted on behalf of the hospital foundation. She said the new information system would enhance efficiency, patient safety and assist in the transition to electronic medical records.
Medical causes were high on the list of priorities receiving additional grant monies Monday afternoon.
The Stratford Rescue Department was awarded $8,600 for an MRx monitor. The Stratford Department is a very busy group of volunteers, providing frequent service to resident of the Stratford Nursing and Rehab, as well as residents throughout the Stratford district. This device will allow emergency responders to transmit an EKG to receiving hospitals, thus helping hospital officials better prepare for an incoming patient.
The Webster City Free Clinic was the next largest grant recipient, awarded $6,576 for medications.
Two groups were awarded $6,000 each. The Stanhope Development Group received $6,000 for improvements to the park shelter, and Hamilton County SEED received $6,000 for tourism promotion.
Following close behind, Hamilton County Conservation received $5,900 for campground improvements at Little Wall Lake. In addition, the Briggs Woods Golf Course received $1,500 for a new sign on Highway 17.
In another recreation project, the city of Stratford received $5,000 for playground improvements, while the Stratford school received $4,000 for playground improvements.
In Webster City, All Cultures Equal received $4,500 for children's summer activities.
The city of Webster City also received $4,300 for trail grooming equipment.
And in the rural area, the Boone Valley Izaak Walton League received $4,000 for rifle and pistol range improvements. The area is used for law enforcement qualifying and, without it, state patrol officers must travel to Des Moines to qualify.
In Jewell, the South Hamilton Animal Alliance received $2,500 for the trap/neuter/release program. Also in Jewell, South Hamilton Schools received $250 for the After Prom party.
Back in Stratford, the Shakespeare Community Center received $2,000 for building improvements and the Stratford Library received $2,000 for a new furnace. The Stratford Development Corp. also received $500 for flower planters.
And back over in Jewell, the Montgomery Memorial Library received $2,862 for a searchable CD.
Moving to Randall, the Community Club received $1,200 for tables and chairs.
In Williams, the Library received $1,500 for early literacy and large print books.
Hamilton County Extension received $1,500 for the Developing Dynamic Leaders training program.
The Hamilton County Fair received $500 for baby changing stations. Likewise, the Hamilton County Fair Foundation received $800 for a PA system at the show arena.
Hamilton County Public Health received $500 for the Girl Talk program.
Back in Jewell, $750 went to JADE for bicycle helmets.
In Ellsworth, the Community Association received $300 for a new refrigerator, while the Ellsworth Public Library received $1,000 for a circulation desk.
Building Families received $1,500 for the Stork's Nest.
AndUDMO received $500 for car seats, boosters, and car seat safety checks.
As Holt noted, the grants funds are not designed to cover the entire cost of any one project, but must be matched with at least 50 percent outside funding.
Award recipients often thanked the Foundation, but at least one recipient also thanked the folks who generated the funds in the first place.
"I want to thank all of you that gambled," said Lind Wilde, Randall.
Enhance Hamilton County Foundation grants are awarded on an annual basis. More information about next year's rounds of grants, or in how to contribute to the endowment itself, is available from Holt or from Catherine Bergman, treasurer for the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation.
Contact Lori Berglund at editor@freemanjournal.net
