The sale of bonds to finance big-ticket community projects in Iowa has gone better than expected, and more projects will get state support as a result. The bonds went on the market yesterday exclusively to Iowans, and 31-million dollars worth of bonds was sold. Today, anyone could buy, and another 174-million dollars worth has been sold. That’s 35-MILLION dollars above expectations. It means up to nine “Vision Iowa” projects will get financing. Five projects, including sports arenas in Des Moines and Council Bluffs and projects along the Mississippi in Davenport and Dubuque, already have applied for and received state backing. Governor Tom Vilsack says he’s pleased the “Vision Iowa” program is expanding. He says it is an enormously important thing right now for our state.
“Vision Iowa” board chairman Michael Gartner was on hand in the Governor’s office for today’s announcement. He says they’ll probably be able to add four more projects to the ones they’ve already done. The “Vision Iowa” board is meeting in Pella today, and an application for state support of a project in Marquette and McGregor is likely to be approved.
