Area banks donate $250,000 in matching funds to help Allamakee County Conservation Foundation secure $550,000 for Driftless Area Center through McElroy Trust Grant

The Allamakee County Conservation Foundation has successfully completed the R.J. McElroy Trust challenge grant, thanks to gifts from area banks, to secure $550,000 in funding for the Allamakee County Conservation Board’s Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center being constructed just south of Lansing on the ACCB's Columbus property.
The challenge grant offered by the R.J. McElroy Trust matched up to $250,000 in donated dollars from area banks for an initial $500,000 in funding. The R.J. McElroy Trust offered an additional $50,000 donation upon successful completion of the challenge grant, resulting in a total of $550,000 in funding for the project.

“Congratulations to the citizens and organizations of northeast Iowa who have invested significantly in bringing this idea to fruition. We are proud to be part of the project. We can’t wait to see the thousands of young people who are sure to be inspired by witnessing and learning about our land and history,” said Stacy Van Gorp, executive director, R. J. McElroy Trust.

Banks participating in the challenge grant at the $50,000 donor level include Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank and Waukon State Bank from Waukon; Kerndt Brothers Saving Bank from Lansing; and New Albin Savings Bank from New Albin. Peoples State Bank of Prairie du Chien, WI participated at the $10,000 donor level. Other area banks supporting the challenge include Fidelity Bank & Trust, Freedom Bank and Luana Savings Bank.

“We are extremely grateful to the R.J. McElroy Trust and our area banks for their generous gifts,” said Jane M. Regan, Iowa Mississippi Parkway commissioner. “Securing more than a half-million dollars toward building the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center is a major accomplishment for our community and regional tourism. This facility is paramount to providing access to recreational opportunities, developing wildlife habitats and educating community members and tourists about the environmental and conservation issues of the Driftless Area in Allamakee County.”

The R.J. McElroy Trust invests in opportunities that inspire and transform young people in northeast Iowa. Since the Trust was formed, it has funded a broad range of educational programs which includes scholarships, fellowships, internships, student loans and numerous other projects that benefit youth of all ages. Since 1980, the Trust has awarded over $60 million in grants to nearly 1,700 organizations and agencies serving youth.

“My hope is that the Tri-State area school districts and regional cultural, historical and recreation enthusiasts will utilize the facility for an out-of-classroom learning experience to be educated on why we are the Driftless Region, why the Mississippi River is so important to our local economy and the history of our past,” said Regan.

Work is continuing on the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center with funds being used from an initial $1.3 million National Scenic Byway Grant. The anticipated completion of the project is late summer with interpretive display work continuing through the fall.