15F.206 - RIVER ENHANCEMENT COMMUNITY ATTRACTION AND TOURISM PROJECTS -- APPLICATION REVIEW.
15F.206 RIVER ENHANCEMENT COMMUNITY ATTRACTION AND
TOURISM PROJECTS -- APPLICATION REVIEW.
1. Applications for assistance for river enhancement community
attraction and tourism projects shall be submitted to the department.
For those applications that meet the eligibility criteria, the
department shall provide a staff review analysis and evaluation to
the vision Iowa program review committee referred to in section
15F.304, subsection 2, and the board.
2. When reviewing the applications, the vision Iowa program
review committee and the department shall consider, at a minimum, all
of the following:
a. Whether the wages, benefits, including health benefits,
safety, and other attributes of the project would improve the quality
of life or the quality of attraction or tourism employment in the
community.
b. The extent to which such a project would generate
additional recreational and cultural attractions or tourism
opportunities.
c. The ability of the project to produce a long-term,
tax-generating economic impact.
d. The location of the projects and geographic diversity of
the applications.
e. The project is primarily a vertical infrastructure project
with demonstrated substantial regional or statewide economic impact.
For purposes of the program, "vertical infrastructure" means land
acquisition and construction, major renovation and major repair of
buildings, all appurtenant structures, utilities, site development,
and recreational trails and water trails. "Vertical
infrastructure" does not include routine, recurring maintenance, or
operational expenses or leasing of a building, appurtenant structure,
or utility without a lease-purchase agreement.
f. Whether the applicant has received financial assistance
under the program for the same project.
g. The extent to which the project has taken the following
planning principles into consideration:
(1) Efficient and effective use of land resources and existing
infrastructure by encouraging development in areas with existing
infrastructure or capacity to avoid costly duplication of services
and costly use of land.
(2) Provision for a variety of transportation choices, including
pedestrian traffic.
(3) Maintenance of a unique sense of place by respecting local
cultural and natural environmental features.
(4) Conservation of open space and farmland and preservation of
critical environmental areas.
(5) Promotion of the safety, livability, and revitalization of
existing urban and rural communities.
3. Upon review of the recommendations of the review committee,
the board shall approve, defer, or deny the applications.
4. Upon approval of an application for financial assistance under
the program, the board shall notify the treasurer of state regarding
the amount of moneys needed to satisfy the award of financial
assistance and the terms of the award. The treasurer of state shall
notify the department anytime moneys are disbursed to a recipient of
financial assistance under the program. Section History: Recent Form
2009 Acts, ch 184, §34
Referred to in § 15F.304