Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation awards more than 900-thousand dollars in grants

12 hours ago

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McGregor, Iowa- October 27, 2026 - The Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation (UMGC) has announced its 2026 grant awards, providing $900,985.30 to schools, nonprofit organizations, emergency responders, local governments and community groups across the region.

This year's awards support a wide range of community priorities, including student scholarships, emergency assistance, food security, public safety equipment, parks and recreation, historic preservation, child care, health care and economic development.

"We are proud to support the organizations and volunteers working every day to strengthen our communities," said Kelly Shaffer, UMGC President. "These grants represent investments in education, safety, essential services and projects that will improve quality of life throughout the region for years to come."

2026 Grant Awards

Education, scholarships and human services

Postville School District - Dollars for Scholars scholarships: $1,500.00
Starmont School District - Dollars for Scholars scholarships: $3,750.00
Clayton Ridge School District - Dollars for Scholars scholarships: $10,000.00
Central School District - Dollars for Scholars scholarships: $5,250.00
MFL MarMac School District - Dollars for Scholars scholarships: $7,500.00
Clayton County Womenade - Hardship assistance: $10,000.00
Edgewood-Colesburg Friends of the Arts - Electric piano and music stands: $6,362.99
RISE Ltd. - Remote support services: $10,000.00
Clayton County Food Shelf - Emergency food, hygiene products and toiletries: $15,000.00
Point Women's Club - Winter apparel: $2,996.40
Early Literacy in Clayton County - Clayton County Imagination Library $5,000.00
Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation - NEICAC Crisis Assistance Program: $25,000.00

Recreation and community improvements

Starmont Booster Club - Baseball updates: $12,840.00
City of Garnavillo - Gem Park improvements: $87,619.59
Warrior Little League and Town Teams - Field extension: $12,375.00
Mar-Mac Human Powered Trails, Inc. - Phase 3 of the trail project: $49,000.00
City of Monona - Aquatic center shade structures: $10,000.00
City of Guttenberg-Riverfront Park bench replacement: $25,000.00
Point Vision - Sun shades and lighting for pickleball courts: $27,837.79
City of Volga - Campground natural buffer and beautification project: $3,000.00
Monona Public Gardens and Trail - Garden View Playground upgrade: $96,000.00
Postville Park, Pool and Recreation Board - Lull's Park playground project: $60,000.00
Strawberry Point Pool Committee - Municipal pool facility improvements: $46,184.95

Public safety and emergency response

City of Strawberry Point - Thermal imager and high-angle rescue gear: $13,696.00
City of Monona - Police K9 unit equipment: $3,000.00
Elkport-Garber EMS - LUCAS 3 device: $23,271.81
St. Olaf Fire Department - Cascade system: $15,735.00
Clayton County Sheriff's Office - Public safety drone project: $13,467.00
Garnavillo Firefighters Association - Equipment for new fire truck: $22,500.00
Strawberry Point Police Department - Police in-car video system: $5,437.95
Luana Volunteer Fire Association - Brush fire skid unit and portable radio: $8,512.50
Crawford County Sheriff's Office - Law enforcement squad-car cameras: $22,722.00

History, culture and veterans

American Legion Post 388, St. Olaf - Legion uniform shirts: $1,600.00
Northeast Iowa Vietnam Veterans Association - Northeast Iowa Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park: $53,500.07
St. Joseph's Cemetery Association of Garnavillo - Headstone restoration project: $2,675.00
Asbury Cemetery Association of Elk Township - West fence and gate replacement: $6,456.95
Guttenberg Heritage Society - Guttenberg history display: $22,500.00
Marquette Historical Society - Depot Museum improvements: $15,000.00
Methodist Church Preservation Foundation, Inc. - Tower roofing project: $19,125.00
Northeast Iowa Farm & Antique Association (Plagman Barn) - Restroom floors: $1,382.00
McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts, Inc. - "NO Ice Baby": $3,750.00
Clayton County Agricultural Society - Save the History of Barn D: $9,667.30
Big Four Agricultural Society - Big Four Fairgrounds dairy barn: $7,222.50
Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society - Harpers Ferry Museum historic front entrance: $18,000.00

Economic development and community facilities

Clayton County Development Group - Marketing for Clayton County: $29,000.00
Guttenberg Chamber of Commerce - Welcome Center building updates: $17,842.50
Kinderwood Child Care - Industrial dishwasher and commercial furnace: $8,560.00
Elkader Child Care and Learning Center - Child care center roof project: $24,145.00

Together, the 2026 grant awards demonstrate UMGC's continued commitment to locally led projects that meet immediate needs while creating lasting benefits for residents and visitors.

About Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation

Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the enrichment of Clayton County, Iowa through the dispersion of funds acquired from Bally's Marquette Casino. It is the groups’ mission to award these funds to qualifying tax exempt organizations or those working in cooperation with local governments in Clayton County and surrounding area, who cultivate projects that meet established criteria. These projects should encourage economic development, community betterment, improved cultural and recreational activity facilities, programs or activities that foster enhanced educational experiences for our youth, or improve the overall quality of life for residents of this county.