More and more organizations and groups are committing themselves toward the Greene County School District bond referendum.

Last week, Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation pledged $4.5 million to build the new gymnasium and performing arts center portion of the project. GGCGC Board member Peg Raney says the overall cost of the project is $35 million, which includes: a new high school, career academy operated by Iowa Central Community College, retrofitting the current high school into a middle school and administrative offices, and the new gymnasium and performing arts center.

The Greene County Supervisors also gave their support with a financial commitment of up to $5 million toward the career academy building. Chair John Muir says payment may come from tax increment financing (TIF) if a number of contingencies are met, including the passage of the bond referendum. However, if TIF isn’t set up by the time payment is needed, Muir says they have another route they can take.

“There’s already discussions with local banks that will participate if we haven’t acquired the funds that we need, we can take out a short-term loan. We are required to input money before we have TIF money, that’s how we’ll handle that.”

The Greene County School Board recently approved the bond measure for $21.48 million, to be voted on April 3rd. Last week, the School Board approved a resolution with all Board members supporting the bond. Board President Mark Peters explains what role the Board will have leading up to the vote.

“We’ll be involved in, not all of us but a few of us, at each meeting coming up probably with the architects (OPN Architects), once the plan is in place and trying to educate people on that plan. School Board members will be available to come to those meetings also.”

Another contribution came from Dick and Delores Finch for $100,000 for the construction of the career academy.