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Webster County conservation director outlines $22 million in finished quality-of-life projects, next steps
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Summary
Conservation Director Matt Cosgrove told the Webster County Board the county's $11 million investment leveraged another $11 million to complete parks, trails and the Rivers Edge Discovery Center; he described funding sources, local economic return and planned trail connections.
Matt Cosgrove, conservation director, gave the Webster County Board of Supervisors a final wrap-up of an extended set of quality-of-life projects, saying the county's $11 million investment ultimately supported roughly $22 million in work including trails, park improvements and the Rivers Edge Discovery Center.
"We were successful in receiving a $4,000,000 Destination Iowa grant for these projects," Cosgrove said, describing how the grant and other state and private funding augmented the county's investment. He said Friends of Webster County Conservation raised nearly $600,000 in private contributions to fund exhibits and other elements at the discovery center.
Cosgrove described key projects finished or underway: trail construction and extensions (including a five-mile extension to Badger and connections toward the 3 Rivers Trail), playscape and sculpture installations, the Rivers Edge Discovery Center building and riverfront work coordinated with the city of Fort Dodge's Central River District plan. He said the county captured approximately $15 million of the total spending for local contractors and businesses, with about $5 million going to other Iowa firms and approximately $2.2 million to out-of-state vendors.
The presentation tied the investments to workforce and economic development. Cosgrove said the projects were initially funded in part through tax-increment financing tied to local wind and agricultural projects and that the county pursued state and federal grants after planning work beginning in 2017 and 2018.
Cosgrove identified several next steps: pursuing additional state and federal funding for the 3 Rivers Trail connection, advancing the Central River District Phase 2 work the city has awarded, and completing smaller improvements such as boat ramp, parking, restrooms and shelter work at Sunkist Meadows. He said some projects can take three to five years to develop and move into maintenance once construction is complete.
The board responded with appreciation and recognized staff and partners who helped carry the work to completion. The presentation was received as an informational update; no formal board action followed.
