The City of Carroll has been selected to receive $203,000 in grants from the state to help fund just over $1 million in planned improvements to historic Merchants Park. On Thursday, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Enhance Iowa Board announced $3.4 million in Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) and Sports Tourism grants, with Merchants Park being selected for the highly competitive program. Parks and Rec Director Chad Tiemeyer and City Manager Aaron Kooiker say it was a lengthy application process.
City officials sought the CAT grant after a previous attempt to secure funding through the Destination Iowa program was unsuccessful. Tiemeyer says the improvements include everything from seating to lighting.
The council approved a contract nearly a year ago with a design firm, Shive-Hattery, to prepare designs for the project, so work is expected to begin yet this year.
With the $203,000 grant, the city has nearly secured all the funds needed for the project. Tiemeyer says everyone, from local government to private groups, has been involved in the fundraising.
The grant also improves the likelihood the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) will extend the agreement for the Class 1A/2A state baseball tournament at Merchants Park. Additionally, the field recently secured a deal with the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) to host the 2025 conference tournament. Carroll’s grant was a portion of a combined $3.4 million awarded to 11 communities by the IEDA on Thursday.
