The Vision Iowa Program celebrated TEN YEARS this year, on July 1, 2010!
Program Information
The Vision Iowa Program was created through a partnership of the Iowa General Assembly
and the Governor, with the support of local leaders throughout the state.
The program was designed to assist communities in the development and creation of
permanent cultural, recreational, entertainment and educational attractions available
to the general public. These attractions position a community to take advantage
of economic development opportunities in tourism and strengthen a community’s competitiveness
as a place to work and live.
The legislation also brought the Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Program
under the direction of the Vision Iowa Board. The CAT Program is currently established
at $12 million per year through FY 2013.
River Enhancement Community Attraction and Tourism (RECAT) was designed to provide
financial assistance for recreational and entertainment attractions that relate
to, connect with, and enhance a river, lake, or river corridor. The RECAT Program
is currently established at $10 million per year through FY 2013.
Legislation directs $100,000 of the CAT fund to the marketing and promotion of Vision
Iowa and CAT projects.
