News : Grants to help with two Shellsburg projects; SACG plans golf event June 13

A walking trail is among the projects planned in Shellsburg

Recent grants will help with this Shellsburg stream bank improvement.

Shellsburg residents are looking forward to several community projects this summer and are thankful to have received news of two grant awards.

The Shellsburg Area Community Group (SACG) has been awarded a Rockwell Collins “Green Communities” grant for $2,500. This money will be used to purchase native plants for a streambank improvement project in the city park. There will be native shrubs, grasses and flowers planted along Bear Creek near the historic spandrel bridge. These plants will serve to minimize erosion, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat as well as improving the appearance of the area. Work on this project will begin later this summer or fall when water levels are lower. We are fortunate to have such a generous corporate donation for an environmentally important project. Funding for this project will also come from the Shellsburg Area Community Group (SACG), the city of Shellsburg, a Benton County Community Foundation grant and private donations made by area residents.

Additionally, news has been received that SACG has been awarded a Keep Iowa Beautiful Grant in the amount of $5,000. This beautification grant is funded by the Keep Iowa Beautiful Foundation in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. This money will be combined with a $1,000 contribution from SACG to purchase materials needed to create a crushed limestone walking trail through the newly developed Memorial Park. Grant funds will also be utilized to provide a small parking area at the southeast corner of the park, signage and landscaping. A dying tree in the park will be sculpted into a bear, welcoming visitors to Bear Creek, which runs through the park. Community volunteers continue to plan for the implementation of this project – one that was developed during the community’s 2013 participation in Iowa Living Roadways Community Visioning program.

These grants, and others previously awarded to the Shellsburg Area Community Group, have all required “matching funds” from this group. SACG funds have been used on multiple community enhancements and activities.

With this in mind the group is sponsoring their 4th annual Golf Outing and fund raiser at Wildcat Golf Course in Shellsburg on Saturday, June 13, 2015. There will be a 4 person Best Shot golf tournament with a 9:00am “shot gun” start. Registration costs of $200 per team will include golf, a meal and cash prizes. Interested teams should contact Wildcat at 436-4653. Additionally, there will be many raffle prizes and some silent auction items so anyone interested in supporting the group should stop by Wildcat that day. The raffle drawing will occur at the end of the tournament so plan your stop accordingly as you do need to be present to win. SACG leaders are thankful for all support received thus far from businesses and community members and look forward to continuing our mission of making Shellsburg a great place to live, shop and invest.