UMGC awards over $387k in grants to area non-profits organizations
Bonnie Pruett (left) and Anne Kruse, with the McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts, recently accepted a $3,675 grant from the Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation (UMGC) for The Left Bank Revival remodeling project. The art center was one of over 30 non-profits or Dollars for Scholars schools that received UMGC funding this year. (Submitted photo)
The Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation (UMGC) did not host its annual grant awards ceremony this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, UMGC Executive Director Sindee Gohde said UMGC still granted $380,411.82 this fall to 32 area non-profit organizations and five Dollars for Scholars schools in and around Clayton County. There were also three grants committed this spring, for a grand total of $387,411.82 in grants this year.
Gohde was happy to report these numbers despite the lower revenue received from the Casino Queen Marquette due to its shut down earlier this spring because of COVID-19. Gohde stated this was the year UMGC was supposed to receive the full 3.25 percent of gaming revenue for the first time and had high hopes for a high return. COVID-19 changed those plans.
Since UMGC is the license holder for the Casino Queen Marquette, the casino is required to pay a gaming tax to UMGC. UMGC grants that money into Clayton County and surrounding areas to non-profit organizations that can meet their guidelines and fulfill their mission statement, to enrich Clayton County.
The list of grants included:
• Central Dollars for Scholars - $1,800
• Clayton Ridge Dollars for Scholars - $5,200
• MFL MarMac Dollars for Scholars - $2,900
• Postville Dollars for Scholars - $400
• Starmont Dollars for Scholars - $700
• Clayton County Development Group: Clayton County Promoting Opportunities - $20,000
• Clayton County Food Shelf: Emergency Food Supply - $7,000, Non-Food Supply - $1,500, COVID Relief - $4,000
• Clayton County Womenade: Hardship Assistance - $5,000, COVID Relief - $2,000
• Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation: Clayton County Crisis Fund - $12,000
• Kids Kampus Community Childcare Center: Building Improvements - $4,250
• City of Guttenberg: Duwe Field Playground Project - $26,800, Two AEDs - $2,518
• Clayton County Conservation: Easy Walking-Native Wildlife Path - $55,900
• Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter: LED Perimeter Lighting - $4,875
• Luana Volunteer Fire Department: Vehicle Stabilizers/Wildland Fire Gear - $13,922.25
• McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts: The Left Bank Revival - $3,675
• Edgewood Board of Economic Development: Edgewood Viking Loop Trail - $21,500
• Clayton County Historic Preservation Commission: Motor Mill Stable Ground Opening - $35,000
• Riverview Center: Mobile Sexual Assault/Abuse Crisis Intervention - $3,000
• Elkader Depot Project: Electricity for Elkader Depot Project - $8,450
• Turkey River Recreational Corridor: Experience the Turkey River - $9,308.57
• Clayton County Energy District: Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations - $50,175
• Clayton County Agricultural Extension: Leading Communities Program - $2,500
• River Bluffs Scenic Byway: Understanding the Byway Through Interpretation - $7,500
• Main Street Elkader: Music to Our Ears - $24,000
• Backbone Lake Promotion Association: Sustaining Clayton County’s Bluegrass Traditions - $12,000, Celebrating 40 Years of Bluegrass - $16,000
• Monona Chamber and Economic Development, Inc.: Monona Butterfly Trail Kiosks and Trailheads - $6,000
• St. Olaf Legion Post #388: Veteran Memorial Benches - $4,300
• Clayton County Fairgrounds: Tree Trimming - $1,600
• Pikes Peak State Park: AEDs for Park - $2,672
• City of Monona: AED for Police Unit - $1,259
• Mar-Mac Police Department: AED for Police Unit - $1,259
• Postville Police Department: Two AED Units for Police Vehicles - $2,518
• Strawberry Point Police Department: Two AED Units for Police Vehicles - $2,830
• Festival of Trees: Decorations for Trees - $100
• McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce: Website - $1,000
