1. ENHANCE IOWA

2. Enhance Iowa Umbrella Vision Iowa
Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT)
River Enhancement Community Attraction and Tourism (RECAT)
Sports Tourism
Baseball & Softball Complex Sales Tax Rebate
CAT Marketing

3. Baseball/Softball Complex Sales Tax Rebate
Complexes with a total project cost of at least $10 million
Complex must be located in Iowa
The owner/operator of the complex must have at least 51% of its equity interest or voting interest controlled by Iowa residents
Up to $2.5 million tax rebate
Expires 10 years after project completion date
Rebate is for sales tax imposed and collected by retailers upon sales of goods, wares, merchandise, admission tickets, and services furnished to purchasers at the complex

4. CAT Marketing Funds
Provides financial assistance to Vision Iowa, CAT or RECAT recipients for marketing projects
$100,000 from each CAT appropriation
FY17 funds were rolled into the most recent Iowa Tourism Grant cycle
Had a separate grant program but it wasn’t successful; did cooperative advertising; bought ads

5. CAT Fund
Provides financial assistance for recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment attractions that are open to the general public
Funding is for vertical infrastructure
land acquisition and construction, major renovation and major repair of buildings, all appurtenant structures, utilities, site development, and recreational trails
Current funding available: $4.2 million

6. Restrictions
State funds do not count as local match until applicant can demonstrate at least 50% of project funds have been raised
All work completed prior to the CAT award date is ineligible for funding and must be excluded from the application
Includes architectural fees, engineering fees, site preparation, demolition, asbestos removal, etc.
Real estate acquisition is the only allowed pre-award expense
Other ineligible expenses include operational costs, fundraising costs and fees, marketing costs

7. Applicants City, county, nonprofit organization, or school district
School districts can only apply as a joint applicant with a city or county
The entity to contract with the Enhance Iowa Board to receive CAT funds and undertake the funded activity
50% of the cost of a standard medical insurance plan must be provided to all fulltime employees working at the completed facility

8. Eligible Project Primarily Vertical Infrastructure
Land acquisition and construction, major renovation and major repair of buildings, all appurtenant structures, utilities, site development, and recreational trails (including water trails)
Work that has started or completed prior to the potential CAT Award date (except the acquisition of real estate) is ineligible for CAT funding and must be omitted from the application
If already started construction, contact Program Manager before applying
Must be open to the general public for general use
Museums, theme parks, cultural and recreational centers, libraries, recreational trails, heritage attractions, sports arenas and complexes, etc.

9. Local Match/Fundraising
Applicants must document at least 50% of the total project cost has been raised prior to submitting an application
Cash donations or pledges and in-kind
Funding from other State sources cannot be attributed to the fundraising total until the 50% funding threshold is met
To be competitive, recommend having more than 80% of funds raised before applying
Funds already spent do not count towards local match

10. Local Match/Fundraising Continued
City, county and private (businesses & individuals) cash contributions are required
In-kind donations are limited to 25% of applicant’s fundraising match
Documentation is required for all contributions
No verbal pledges

11. CAT Awards
Historically, awards have been between 10-20% of project costs
Lately, awards are on the lower end of this range
No matter the size of the project, the Board has made it a policy to not award more than $1 million to a single project
Aquatic centers are now treated like any other project and not limited to $100,000 award
CAT funds are “last dollar in”

12. CAT Application Process
Submit Application
Staff Review
Presentation to Enhance Iowa Board
CAT Committee Review
Negotiation Meeting
Award

13. CAT Application Application parts:
Executive Summary
Application Forms
Minority Impact Statement
Tabs A through J
Two binders: one original application (with original signatures) and one copy
Quarterly deadlines
July 15, October 15, January 15 & April 15
Depends on available funds
On IEDA website

14. Staff Review Complete application Eligible applicant
Project is primarily vertical infrastructure
Commitment to pay 50% of health benefits for all fulltime employees
Whether the project has received funding before
Verification 50% of the total project cost is secured

15. Presentation to the Board
Invited to present during a Board meeting
2nd Wednesday of the month
10 minutes to make a personal appeal
Usually have not reviewed application yet
Vertical infrastructure components, fundraising and timeline

16. Committee Review
Committee members score applications after first presentation
Scores must be above 65 points
Scores do not determine the size of the award or whether project will receive funding
Committee members can recommend an award or move to negotiations
Applicants attend monthly meetings until award or negotiations
Invited to monthly meetings to share updates with the Board (mostly fundraising)

17. Negotiation Small group of Board members and staff
Discuss possible award amount, contract requirements and contingencies, project components, and possible sources for additional fundraising
Committee will make a recommendation to the full Board

18. Award All awards are voted on by full Enhance Iowa Board
Amount is recommended by either CAT Committee or Negotiating Committee
No awards over $1 million
Historically awards have ranged between 10-20% of total project costs
Most recent awards are on lower end of this range

19. After the Award Award letter and contract are sent
Contract includes the award amount, total project cost, project description, deadlines and/or contingencies approved by the Board
Reporting requirements include documentation of completed fundraising, expenditures and in-kind donations, and completion of project as proposed
All nonprofits receiving an award of more than $150,000 will need to submit most recent audit for review
Eligible costs can start being incurred on the award date

20. After the Award
Funds will not be released until fundraising is complete
Funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis
Submit copies of invoices
Reimbursement rate is roughly CAT award/total project costs with an adjustment for in-kind donations
Project must be completed as proposed
Failure to construct all components can result in the return of the entire CAT award
If unable to produce eligible invoices that total at least the project cost number in the contract, will not receive full award
Must permanently recognize Enhance Iowa/CAT program for contribution to project

21. Before You Apply
Review the entire application and ask questions about anything you don’t understand
Attend an Enhance Iowa meeting
Call or with questions!

22. Nicole Shalla, Grants Manager
Questions
Nicole Shalla, Grants Manager or