(KIWA) — A new fire engine in Rock Rapids, water plant upgrades in George, and expanded youth transportation in Rock Valley are among the projects receiving support through more than $1.4 million in grants from the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation.
The foundation awarded $1,408,865.75 to 28 organizations across northwest Iowa, southeast South Dakota, and southwest Minnesota during its annual competitive grant ceremony Thursday, November 5, at Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort near Larchwood. Approximately 120 representatives from nonprofit organizations, schools, and local governments attended.
Largest Grants and Public Safety Projects
The largest grant, $175,000, went to the Rock Rapids Fire Coalition for a new fire department engine. The City of George received $100,000 for upgrades to its water plant controls, while Midwest Honor Flight received $100,000 for Mission 34.
Other major awards included $95,813.59 for ambulance equipment updates through Osceola County Ambulance Services and $80,000 for a station waterline upgrade at the Ashton Community Fire Department.
The Friends of Doon Foundation received $71,248 for breathing apparatus and air tanks. George EMS was awarded $56,698.17 for Project Lifeline, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office received $46,537.50 for ballistic shields, and the Matlock Fire Department received $45,084 for its Air-Pak replacement project.
Youth Programs and Community Projects
Project Youth in Rock Valley received $50,000 for transportation expansion. The Rapids Theatre Preservation Society in Rock Rapids was awarded $35,000 for floor leveling and straightening.
Recreation and community projects also received funding, including $79,000 for community facility preservation at the Rock Rapids Gun Club, $56,384.24 for an accessible dock and sidewalk at Southside Park in Rock Rapids, $44,825 for pickleball courts through the Rock Rapids Development Corporation, and $30,000 for a youth baseball facility in Doon.
Foundation Support
Foundation officials reported $740,000 for 13 Human & Social Needs projects, more than $100,000 for four Education & Arts projects, and more than $550,000 for 11 Community Development & Beautification projects.
The foundation receives a portion of gaming revenues from Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort. Officials say it has distributed more than $4 million in 2026 and more than $38 million since its establishment in June 2011.
2026 Grant Recipients (Alphabetical Order)
| # | Organization | Project Description | Amount |
| 1 | Alvord Fire and Rescue Department | Alvord Fire & Rescue Grass Rig | $28,000.00 |
| 2 | American Legion Rex Strait Post #103 | American Legion Loan Closet Building | $28,634.98 |
| 3 | Ashton Community Fire Department | Station Waterline Upgrade | $80,000.00 |
| 4 | Brandon Valley Hockey Association | Locker Room Privacy Wall | $10,000.00 |
| 5 | Breathe Bravely | sINgSPIRE Session 31/32/33 | $10,000.00 |
| 6 | City of Alvord | Water Tower Infrastructure Safety Project | $59,600.00 |
| 7 | City of Doon | Doon Youth Baseball Facility | $30,000.00 |
| 8 | City of George | Water Plant Controls Upgrade | $100,000.00 |
| 9 | City of Rock Rapids | Southside Park ADA Dock and Sidewalk | $56,384.24 |
| 10 | Ellsworth Fire Department | Firefighter Turnout Gear and Pagers | $45,000.00 |
| 11 | Friends of Doon Foundation | SCBA/Air Tanks | $71,248.00 |
| 12 | George EMS | Project Lifeline | $56,698.17 |
| 13 | Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere Foundation | Golf For Injured Veterans Everywhere | $30,000.00 |
| 14 | Granite Threshermens Association | Granite Heritage & Iron Building | $75,000.00 |
| 15 | Lester Fastpitch Softball Alumni Association | Ball Park Updates | $6,976.27 |
| 16 | Little Rock Town & Country Club | Batting Cage on Concrete Base | $11,565.00 |
| 17 | Lyon County Historical Society | Livery & Farming Buildings Rain Gutters | $6,991.00 |
| 18 | Lyon County Recorder | Veterans Discharge Record scanning | $996.00 |
| 19 | Lyon County Sheriff’s Office | Ballistic Shield Project | $46,537.50 |
| 20 | Matlock Fire Department | Air-Pak Replacement Project | $45,084.00 |
| 21 | Midwest Honor Flight | Mission 34 | $100,000.00 |
| 22 | Mustang Sports Boosters | Baseball/Softball Scoreboard Replacement | $30,512.00 |
| 23 | Osceola County Ambulance Services | Ambulance Equipment Update | $95,813.59 |
| 24 | Project Youth | Project Youth Transportation Expansion | $50,000.00 |
| 25 | Rapids Theatre Preservation Society | Floor Leveling and Straightening | $35,000.00 |
| 26 | Rock Rapids Development Corporation | Pickleball Courts | $44,825.00 |
| 27 | Rock Rapids Fire Coalition | Fire Dept Engine | $175,000.00 |
| 28 | Rock Rapids Gun Club | Community Facility Preservation | $79,000.00 |
| Total | $1,408,865.75 |
2026 Grant Recipients (Ordered by Grant Amount — Largest to Smallest)
| Rank | Organization | Project Description | Amount |
| 1 | Rock Rapids Fire Coalition | Fire Dept Engine | $175,000.00 |
| 2 | City of George | Water Plant Controls Upgrade | $100,000.00 |
| 3 | Midwest Honor Flight | Mission 34 | $100,000.00 |
| 4 | Osceola County Ambulance Services | Ambulance Equipment Update | $95,813.59 |
| 5 | Ashton Community Fire Department | Station Waterline Upgrade | $80,000.00 |
| 6 | Rock Rapids Gun Club | Community Facility Preservation | $79,000.00 |
| 7 | Granite Threshermen’s Association | Granite Heritage & Iron Building | $75,000.00 |
| 8 | Friends of Doon Foundation | SCBA/Air Tanks | $71,248.00 |
| 9 | City of Alvord | Water Tower Infrastructure Safety Project | $59,600.00 |
| 10 | George EMS | Project Lifeline | $56,698.17 |
| 11 | City of Rock Rapids | Southside Park ADA Dock and Sidewalk | $56,384.24 |
| 12 | Project Youth | Project Youth Transportation Expansion | $50,000.00 |
| 13 | Lyon County Sheriff’s Office | Ballistic Shield Project | $46,537.50 |
| 14 | Matlock Fire Department | Air-Pak Replacement Project | $45,084.00 |
| 15 | Ellsworth Fire Department | Firefighter Turnout Gear and Pagers | $45,000.00 |
| 16 | Rock Rapids Development Corporation | Pickleball Courts | $44,825.00 |
| 17 | Rapids Theatre Preservation Society | Floor Leveling and Straightening | $35,000.00 |
| 18 | Mustang Sports Boosters | Baseball/Softball Scoreboard Replacement | $30,512.00 |
| 19 | City of Doon | Doon Youth Baseball Facility | $30,000.00 |
| 20 | Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere Foundation | Golf For Injured Veterans Everywhere | $30,000.00 |
| 21 | American Legion Rex Strait Post #103 | American Legion Loan Closet Building | $28,634.98 |
| 22 | Alvord Fire and Rescue Department | Alvord Fire & Rescue Grass Rig | $28,000.00 |
| 23 | Little Rock Town & Country Club | Batting Cage on Concrete Base | $11,565.00 |
| 24 | Brandon Valley Hockey Association | Locker Room Privacy Wall | $10,000.00 |
| 25 | Breathe Bravely | sINgSPIRE Session 31/32/33 | $10,000.00 |
| 26 | Lyon County Historical Society | Livery & Farming Buildings Rain Gutters | $6,991.00 |
| 27 | Lester Fastpitch Softball Alumni Association | Ball Park Updates | $6,976.27 |
| 28 | Lyon County Recorder | Veterans Discharge Record scanning | $996.00 |
| Total | $1,408,865.75 |
