The City of Carroll has been selected to receive just over $200,000 in grants from the state to help fund more than $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. City officials sought the CAT grant after a previous attempt to secure funding through the Destination Iowa program was unsuccessful. Planned improvements include a press box expansion, bleacher improvements with ADA access and seating, protective netting, dugout expansion, field lighting, and fencing. The council approved a contract nearly a year ago with a design firm, Shive-Hattery, to prepare designs for the project. City Manager Aaron Kooiker and Parks and Rec Director Chad Tiemeyer will join KCIM this (Friday) morning at 8 a.m. to discuss the CAT award further.
