Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development awarded grant to help local art, history and cultural organizations

Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development has been awarded a grant to help art, history and cultural organizations in Northeast Iowa to grow.

The project involves multiple RC&Ds from across the state, so the contract details are still being worked out.

The grant will cover the costs of having Northeast Iowa RC&D staffers begin meeting with Winneshiek County art groups, historical societies, and cultural organizations, as well as those within Allamakee, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette and Howard counties.

Staffers will help the groups to identify common goals and to prioritize projects.  The grant will also cover the costs of regional group gatherings.

The project is being described as one of the first in the state that recognizes the economic potential of arts, cultural and historical organizations and the importance of the enrichment they provide. "Most people in the area know that we have phenomenal natural resources, but we also have outstanding cultural resources.  This project gives us the opportunity to sit down with these groups and ask how we can help," states Project Coordinator Deneb Woods.