Friday 29th March 2024

msdc-logo-1-11-21

A six-figure cost for a feasibility study has been approved by an area board.

According to unofficial minutes from the Marshall-Saline Development Corporation board meeting on November 20, 2020, board president Jene Crook asked the board for its thoughts on covering the cost of a feasibility study on bringing a steamboat museum to Marshall Junction.

MSDC will apply for a Buckner grant. Bill Stouffer, who has requested the funding, has said that he will try to raise funds for reimbursement of the cost of the study to MSDC.

Stouffer told the board he has received a letter of intent from the Tri-County Community Foundation that it has voted to award a grant of $15,000 to help with reimbursement toward the cost of a forgivable loan for MSDC from Wood & Huston Bank for $30,000 to be paid in three years.

After discussion, board member Sandy Hisle made a motion to commit (up to) $150,000 to pay for the study; apply for a grant for $50,000 from the Buckner Foundation; and accept the forgivable $30,000 loan from Wood & Huston Bank and the $15,000 grant from the Tri-County Community Foundation. Board member Kirk Arends seconded the motion. The motion carried with a unanimous 6-0 vote.

Other board members who were present and voted were vice president Bud Summers, Monte Fenner and Greg Swift. Board members who were absent were Tom Blumhorst and secretary/treasurer Jeff Bergstrom.