Grant Projects

Non-Competitive Grants

Contributor:

Lyon County Riverboat Foundation

https://rockrapids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Non-Competitive-Riverboat-Grants-2021.pdf

Fire Thermal Imaging Cameras

Major Contributor:

Lyon County Riverboat Foundation

https://rockrapids.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Camera.pdf

Airport Lounge Remodel

Major Contributor:

Lyon County Riverboat Foundation

https://rockrapids.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Airport.pdf

Moon Creek Trail 2020

Major Contributor:

Lyon County Riverboat Foundation

https://rockrapids.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Moon-Creek-Trail.pdf

Audio Visual System

at Forster Community Center, 2013

Major Contributor:

Lyon County Riverboat Foundation

Bunker Gear

Rock Rapids Fire Department
Bunker Gear

Made possible with contributions from:

Lyon County Riverboat Foundation

Island Park Playground 2013

Major Contributors:

Forster Charitable Trust

Lyon County Riverboat Foundation

Island Park Trail, 2009

Major Contributors:

Iowa Department of Transportation
Forster Charitable Trust
Robert and Brynn Ladd
Rock Rapids Municipal Utiities
Community Foundation of Lyon County
Iowa Department of Public Health

Rock Rapids Fire Department Jaws of Life

Made possible with contributions from:

Lyon County Riverboat Foundation

Rock Rapids Firefighters Association

Kiwanis Park Playground 2012

Major Contributors:

Forster Charitable Trust

Lyon County Riverboat Foundation

Rock Rapids Kiwanis

LED Outdoor Lighting at Forster Community Center 2015

Major Contributors

Lyon County Riverboat Foundation

Rock Rapids Muncipal Utilities

New LED Lighting at Community Center

With grants of $4,000 from Lyon County Riverboat Foundation and $1,500 from Rock Rapids Municipal Utilities, the City of Rock Rapids has installed new LED Outdoor Lighting in the parking lot of the Forster Community Center.

Light Emitting Diodes, or LEDs, consist of state-of-the-art technology that produces ultra-high intensity lighting for an estimated 100,000 hours of life. In addition to improved lighting, this project will result in reduced maintenance and energy consumption.

Thermal testing and reduced size help to ensure virtual elimination of maintenance for 20 years. The micro-lens optical system allows for control of light output toward the precise location where needed. This eliminates the need for “over lighting” at the base of the pole and “under lighting” between poles and results in substantial savings in in energy costs.

The Forster Community Center is a highly versatile facility that accommodates various needs of residents and businesses throughout Lyon County. These functions include elections, regular meeting locations for American Legion and City Council, trade shows, ISU Extension programs and workshops for farmers, weddings, and fundraisers.

For users of the facility, the new LED Lighting brings greater safety and a more pleasing atmosphere during evening hours. The City of Rock Rapids extends its appreciation to Riverboat Foundation and Rock Rapids Utilities for their generous contributions toward this project.

Riverboat Foundation Awards Grant for New SCBA Fire Equipment

On February 11, 2016 the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation awarded the Rock Rapids Volunteer Fire Department a grant in the amount of $70,000 for SCBA Fire Equipment.

This project consisted of purchase of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and related items. SCBA refers to the equipment worn outside of the protective clothing to allow for continued normal breathing of uncontaminated and non-toxic air, and to prevent inhalation of hazardous chemicals and smoke, during firefighting.

Previous equipment was up to 23 years old. New equipment was needed to bring the Department into compliance with current NFPA regulations, as revised in 2013, as well as current OSHA standards. Additionally, updated equipment will help with continued maintenance of the Department’s excellent Class 5 ISO rating.

One complete SCBA unit consists of one SCBA main frame, one face mask and two cylinders. Besides providing improved visibility, the new facemasks come with new safety features such as Voice Amplification and Personal Alarm System device, which automatically detects and sounds alarm if the firefighter quits moving.

Other added equipment includes: Quick Fill Hose Kit, which allows for transfer of air between two firefighters while inside a burning building; Dual Fill Station that provides for rapid re-fill of two tanks simultaneously, cutting the time needed for re-fill to less than half. This is a cage unit that contains any potential explosion of tanks during refill.

The Rock Rapids Fire Department gratefully acknowledges receipt, from Lyon County Riverboat Foundation, of this generous contribution that will help to ensure the safety of its Volunteers in their service to the City and the surrounding rural areas.

Scout Island Trail, 2012

Major Contributors:

Forster Charitable Trust
Lyon County Riverboat Foundation

Rock Rapids Fire Department – Thermal Imaging Camera

Made possible with contributions from:

Lyon County Riverboat Foundation

Rock Rapids Firefighters Association

Store Front Incentive Program

With a grant in the amount of $15,000 from Lyon County Riverboat Foundation, the City of Rock Rapids has provided financial assistance to 10 downtown businesses for exterior improvements to their facilities.

The Store Front Incentive program was adopted by the Council in 2011 for projects starting in Fiscal Year 2012. The purpose is to encourage rehabilitation of commercial buildings, with the goal of improving the physical appearance of the downtown area.

Typical improvements include the following: patching, painting or cleaning of façade walls; replacement or repair of signage, lighting, windows, doors, cornices, sidewalks, or exterior steps; repair or installation of canopy, porch or awning.

To date, the City has provided approximately $30,000 in matching funds for this program. When added to the private investment from the commercial property owners, this has resulted in improvements costing more than $80,000 to the downtown area.

Projects completed to date are as follows: McCarty Motors; Country Boutique; Atlas of Lyon County; Air Conditioning & Heating; Family Dentistry; Greg Brommer (former Trendz Salon building); Rapids Theatre; Palace Jewelers; Ace Hardware; DRG Mechanical.

Continuous exposure of improved store fronts in Rock Rapids provides benefit not only to business owners, but to all of Lyon County. The City extends its appreciation to Lyon County Riverboat Foundation for its participation in this project.

Photos of completed projects are shown below.

McCarty Motors
Country Boutique
Atlas of Lyon County
Air Conditioning & Heating
Family Dentistry
Greg Brommer
Rapids Theater
Palace Jewelers
Ace Hardware
DRG Mechanical

Store Front Incentive – Phase II

With a 2nd grant of $15,000 from Lyon County Riverboat Foundation, the City of Rock Rapids has provided assistance toward the costs of exterior improvements for an additional 11 downtown businesses.

The Phase II program consisted of four individual projects plus two combined projects. Individual projects were as follows: Lyon & Sioux Rural Water – Signs; Todd’s Station – Signs and Windows; Rapid Flooring – Signs; Rock Rapids Car Wash – Overhead Doors.

Combined projects consisted of replacing 260 lineal feet of sidewalk for three adjoining businesses on the south side of Main Street plus four on the north side, as follows: Caleb Woiwood; Rapids Theatre; Palace Jewelers; Rosie’s; Union Jack’s; Curves; Lillians.

To date, the City and Riverboat Foundation have jointly contributed $60,000 toward this program. When added to private investment, and including current projects, total costs of improvements amount to more than $450,000 through the Store Front Incentive program.

Caleb Woiwood
Rapids Theatre
Palace Jewelers
Rosie’s
Union Jack’s
Curves
Lillians
Rock Rapids Car Wash
Rapids Flooring
Todd’s Station
Lyon & Sioux Rural Water