The Enhance Iowa Board awarded $878,616 in Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grants to a fine arts center in Forest City, a pedestrian bridge in Nora Springs and a theater renovation project in Audubon. The three awards mark the first awards made by the new Enhance Iowa Board, created in the last legislative session through Senate File 2308. The Enhance Iowa Board approved the grants at yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) meeting in Des Moines.

Locally, the Rose Theater Renovation Project in Audubon received a requested CAT grant amounting to $61,250, for renovations to the interior and exterior of a historic theatre in Audubon.  Once completed, the theatre will offer family friendly movies on the weekends. The project is expected to cost $323,761 altogether. The grant is contingent upon completion of fundraising by December 31st, 2016.