FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 05/26/2025

MRHD 2025 Economic Development Match grant opens in june

SIOUX CITY – Missouri River Historical Development, Inc. (MRHD) will accept applications for its Economic Development Match Grant program throughout the month of June. In total, $1,000,000 will be available for the 2025 grant cycle.

The MRHD Economic Development Match Grant is a competitive grant opportunity that provides awards ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000 to support economic development projects within Woodbury County needing higher levels of funding and collaboration with other private, public, and community resources. Projects must commence construction within two years and be completed no more than four years after the grant award date. Local governments, tax-exempt organizations, and educational institutions located in Woodbury County are eligible to apply.

Projects must have a supporting dollar-for-dollar match for the amount awarded, have a strong potential for success and sustainable growth, and align with at least one of MRHD’s four economic development focus areas:

1. Creation and retention of jobs.

2. Development of a critical job force.

3. Implementation of a new project or service having a substantial impact on the community.

4. Support for improved quality of life and community development.

This is the fifth year that MRHD has offered a competitive economic development grant program to organizations seeking to invest in large scale projects in Woodbury County that will benefit the community. MRHD has a long history of funding economic development projects starting with construction of the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the Betty Strong Encounter Center. Over the past decade, MRHD has awarded more than $5.5 million to economic development projects which include:

  • $1,000,000 for the Ag Expo Center in Sioux City,

  • $305,000 to support economic and workforce development in Siouxland,

  • $50,000 to support air service at Sioux Gateway Airport,

  • $1,000,000 for the redevelopment of Chris Larsen Park along the Sioux City riverfront,

  • $700,000 for the construction of a rural medical clinic in Moville,

  • $500,000 workforce educational programs at Briar Cliff and WITCC,

  • $1,000,000 for the development of an innovation center in downtown Sioux City to support small and start up business ventures, and

  • $1,000,000 to significantly expand access to mental health services for youth and families in Siouxland.

Following the application period from June 1st to June 30th, MRHD will review the submissions and select finalists to interview with the grant review committee in July. Funding decisions will be announced during an awards ceremony on August 21st that will be held in the Anthem at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sioux City.

MRHD is the non-profit Qualified Sponsoring Organization (QSO) that holds the license for casino gaming in Woodbury County and receives funding from an agreement with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Sioux City. Under Iowa law, a percentage of the casino’s gaming revenues is allocated to MRHD for community development. Since 1989, MRHD has invested more than $58 Million in Woodbury County and the Siouxland community through a wide range of grants funded by casino gaming revenue.

For more information about MRHD, or the 2025 Economic Development Match Grant program, contact MRHD Executive Director, David Gleiser at: (712) 899-6631, or execdir@mrhdiowa.org.

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