Organizers in Grand Junction have taken on the formidable task of raising several hundred thousand dollars to build a new community center in a town with a population of 861 persons. Junction Hilltop Wind Farm, just north of Grand Junction, has answered the challenge with a challenge of its own. Junction Hilltop Wind (JHW) will match up to $400,000 in funds raised, but there are a few strings attached. “We set some guidelines as a way to motivate people to get involved, to be part of it,” said Tom Wind, president of JHW. “They aren’t hard requirements to meet.”
The first $120,000 of the challenge is to approve plans for an attractive building that invites folks to go inside and stay awhile. Additionally, the building must meet the minimal Leadership in Energy and Environment (LEED) standards of the US Green Building Council.
Another part of the challenge is to involve as many people as possible in the fundraising, whether it be a cash donation, a student service project, an event like a soup supper or raffle, or a letter of support for a grant application. If there are at least 500 separate contributors to the project, JHW will match $60,000 in funds raised. Contributors do not need to be Grand Junction residents to be counted for the challenge.
JHW wants to show that small towns can accomplish big goals. To that end, $60,000 will be provided if organizers generate at least 20 media items, presentations, or “notices” outside Grand Junction of the challenge and efforts to meet it.
And, JHW doesn’t want a new community center to be the only improvement on Main St. If the city of Grand Junction goes through a planning and design process and develops a long-range plan for continued redevelopment of Main St, JHW will provide another $60,000 in matching funds. The makes a total of $300,000 available as matching funds.
Continued redevelopment is a primary reason for the project, according to committee chair Diane Wise. “We are building a community center/city hall with the thought in mind that this much needed improvement will spark others to continue with their efforts to improve and revitalize their homes and business. It will change the face of Main Street and become a gathering place for many activities for business and the community,” Wise said.
The final $100,000 will be more difficult to attain, Wind admitted. If the building is built as a net-zero energy building –heated and cooled with a geothermal system and generating electricity with photovoltaic panels on the roof so that energy used at the building is not more than energy generated—JHW will provide an additional $100,000. Wind said that the cost of such a system may be prohibitive for fundraisers.
Regardless of whether any of the challenges are met, Junction Hilltop Wind has pledged $100,000 to the project.
According to committee chair Diane Wise, about $125,000 has been raised as of mid-February.
Preliminary plans call for the 6,000-square foot community center to include a large meeting room that will accommodate 225 persons; a smaller meeting room for 32 persons; a patio; restrooms; a small room with a kitchenette for coffee groups and other small gatherings; and the Grand Junction city office.
Persons who would like more information can contact Wise at 515-370-1675. Donations can be sent to Grand Junction Community Center, PO Box 383, Grand Junction, IA 50107. ~GreeneCountyNewsOnline
