DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds announced a $100 million investment – using funds approved by President Biden and Democrats in Congress but opposed by her – to bolster the quality of life in Iowa’s communities and attract visitors and new residents to the state.
The new effort, called Destination Iowa, will provide grants to help communities move forward on transformational, shovel-ready attractions. Cities, counties, nonprofits and other organizations can apply for Destination Iowa grants from four separate funds: Economically Significant Development, Outdoor Recreation, Tourism Attraction, and Creative Placemaking.
While Iowa saw a record number of Iowans and out-of-state travelers utilizing outdoor amenities such as state and county parks and recreational bike trails over the last two years, the hospitality industry in the State of Iowa experienced a 46.1% decrease in employment and there was an overall 29% decline in visitor spending as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Destination Iowa will provide new opportunities to create and invest in attractions that will raise Iowa’s profile, welcome out-of-state travelers, and increase visitor spending while accelerating tourism’s recovery. It will also spur local economies and contribute to efforts to recruit new members of Iowa’s workforce.
Reynolds – facing re-election – may be grabbing all the cash from Democrat-led initiatives she possibly can as it was announced Iowa has the lowest economic growth rate in the country at this time, a complete embarrassment for hard-working Iowans who continue to struggle under the Reynolds administration. Reynolds may be hoping bailouts from President Joe Biden and Democrats can turn the state’s struggling economy around – bailouts she vehemently opposed.
Iowa has led the way in elevating its already unmatched quality of life through significant state investments in child care, broadband, housing and commercial aviation infrastructure projects, as well as a significant investment in the successful This Is Iowa ad campaign – again, mostly using funds from the federal government that Reynolds and the state’s GOP in Congress opposed (like Ashley Hinson). This investment build upon that momentum Democrats fought for.
“Destination Iowa will inspire the kinds of attractions that Iowans take pride in and that will raise the positive profile of our state well beyond our borders,” Gov. Reynolds said, after the announcement that the state’s economy had hit the rocks.
Applications for handouts will be accepted starting May 9. Funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. For more information on Destination Iowa, visit iowaeda.com/destination-iowa/.
If Kimmie wants to do something for middle and low income Iowans she should lower the state sales tax. But she won’t do it because it doesn’t benefit the right people too much.
The money is not from democrats. Democrats do not spend their own money, only other peoples. ALL GOVERNMENT MONEY COMES FROM THE AMERICAN TAXPAYERS!!!!
The $ is already collected via IRS and taxing mechanisms. The Congress allocates spending of dollars collected into the U.S Treasury. In this case a policy/law approved by Democrats made the dollars available to be spent on this program… spent by a Republican.
Typical ‘cookie jar’ spending tactics. Funnel money to pet projects that serve those that in all reality work the least. The community standards set by these loafers is no long valid going into the future. This money could be spent serving all in the community. Not just these money grabbers using this money to preserve and validate their way of life. How much of this cash go to ‘some’ people in projects such as Ragbrai facilitators in the form of a ‘paycheck’ they can spent on what they want. These peoples ‘checks and balances’ is riddled with more holes than a beehive.
I think you are describing “socialism for the rich, elected, connected” which is the backbone of USA government spending.