Ocheyedan, Iowa — Thirty-one Osceola County projects received a share of over $94,000 in grant money last night (Thursday, February 15th) at the annual Community Foundation of Osceola County grant ceremony.
The ceremony was held at the Ocheyedan Town Hall. The foundation, which was established in 2006, has given out over $983,000 since then. Funding was secured from the Iowa Legislature to encourage improvement projects in communities that do not have a gaming facility located in their county. As a result, the foundation is now are able to finance worthy projects that might have otherwise gone unfunded.
Foundation spokesperson Mike Earll says they also accept charitable donations to help the grant endowment grow.
Receiving grants of $3500 were:
• Osceola County Pheasants Forever
Purchase prescribed fire burn skids & personal protective gear & clothing to maintain CRP & natural areas in Osceola County.
• Ocheyedan Senior Activity Center
New countertops & 3-bowl sink for Ocheyedan Sr. Citizen Activity Center kitchen.
• Osceola Community Health Services
Lifeline equipment upgrade. Year 2 of a 3-year plan to replace 90 Lifeline units in the county.
• Sibley Public Library
Furnishings updates including a sensory learning wall and furniture in youth area of the library.
• McCallum Museum/Brunson Heritage House
Purchase and install a new high efficiency furnace/air conditioning units for Museum.
• Melvin American Legion
Roof repair on Melvin Legion / Community Bldg.
• Sibley Parks Department
Replace two water fountains in Sibley’s Central Park.
• Osceola County Conservation Board
Purchase & install two interpretive signs, a flagpole & new sign at Ocheyedan Mound.
• Hawkeye Point Foundation
Install water & both 30 & 50 amp electrical service to campsites at Hawkeye Pt. Campground.
• Sibley VFW
Purchase & install a high efficiency furnace for Sibley VFW building.
• Osceola Communities Express
Funds to expand Osceola Communities Express service to other parts of Osceola County.
• Osceola County Livestock Show
Phase III of a 3-year project to refurbish the schoolhouse on the fairgrounds. Replace windows.
• Tracy House Museum
Pour a concrete sidewalk to the house and ag building; window replacement; replace glass in display case.
• Ocheyedan Indians 4-H Club
Purchase & install historic banners for Ocheyedan’s Main Street.
• Ashton Fire Department
Update water entry design & install a water meter for Ashton Fire Dept.
• Osceola Co. Freedom Rock
Have the Osceola Co. Freedom Rock painted by Bubba Sorensen.
• Ashton American Legion Auxiliary
Provide landscaping materials for Osceola Co. Freedom Rock in Ashton.
• S-O FFA Chapter
Purchase and erect a 24’ x 40’ greenhouse to assist with classes and student instruction.
• Ashton Ambulance Crew
Update light fixtures in ambulance garage & replace outdoor light with LED lighting.
• Osceola County Sheriff’s Office
Purchase 2-Watch Guard integrated body/dash camera systems for officer’s use.
• Ocheyedan Economic Development
Remodeling & moving restrooms to one location & making them handicap accessible in Ocheyedan City Hall
These projects received less than $3500:
• Ocheyedan Catfish Club
Purchase a defibrillator for Ocheyedan ballfield and town hall. $3,390.00
• S-O Band Boosters
Purchase a portable wireless sound system for the S-O Marching Generals. $3,000.00
• Melvin Public Library
Purchase a movie screen/runner mat/window shades/outdoor sign. $2,920.16
• Melvin Area Econ. Development Corp.
Purchase 6-pole mounted snowflake Christmas lights for Melvin Main Street. $2,300.00
• Sibley Betterment Association
Purchase first aid station, refrigerator & dryer for swimming pool bathhouse. $2,156.00
• Sibley Recreation Department
Purchase a LED Community Event Sign in cooperation with S-O Athletic Boosters. $1,750.00
• S-O Athletic Booster Club
Community event digital sign computer/software/electricity/installation. $1,750.00
• Bright Beginnings of Osceola Co.
Purchase telephones/shade canopy for play area/art supplies/raised garden bed/plants/seeds/
& fertilizer for Bright Beginnings students. $1,702.84
• Sibley Municipal Swimming Pool
Purchase & install a PA speaker system for the swimming pool. $1,344.00
• Sibley Chamber of Commerce
Connecting Osceola Co. & area businesses with “user friendly” web presence. $ 1,107.23
