Jeanne Howe, a representative of Prairie Rivers of Iowa, asked the Story County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 6 for a $500 one-time contribution to migrate a Lincoln Highway Heritage audio tour onto the Apple App Store and Google Play.

"So I'm asking for $500," Howe said, describing a plan to split development costs among the 13 counties the Lincoln Highway traverses. She said the Iowa Valley Scenic Byway currently pays $1,500 per year to maintain the audio tour and that converting the tour for native app use would cost about $2,000 initially and roughly $600 a year thereafter (Prairie Rivers offered a 30% discount on the annual fee).

Board members asked whether the request was a one-time ask or an ongoing commitment; Howe replied it was a one-time request to get the project started and that future small annual requests ("possibly be, like, a $100 ask") or alternative funding options would be considered. After brief discussion, a motion to approve the county's $500 share was made, seconded and adopted by voice vote.

The contribution is intended to help the group place the tour in app stores so users can access audio stops without relying on continuous internet connection and to provide links promoting local businesses and sites along the route. Howe said Prairie Rivers would seek other county commitments and that several counties were reviewing the proposal.

The board approved the $500 request and thanked Howe for the presentation.