The Knoxville Public Library’s “Connect to the Next Edition” capital campaign will be awarded a $425,000 Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Grant from the Enhance Iowa Program.

Knoxville Public Library Director Roslin Thompson tells KNIA/KRLS News the grant is wonderful and helps the library meet the goal of the expansion project.

The fundraising campaign made a significant pushin June 2017 to help fund the expansion, making it possible to renovate the existing two-story library and build a one-story addition. The total cost has been projected at $4.4 million. With the CAT Grant, the project will be expedited.

Knoxville City Manager Aaron Adams says, “This benefits not only Knoxville, but the surrounding areas, and the city has been excited to be a part of this process.”

With the grant, the total amount raised to date is $4,316,945. That includes a city referendum of $2.5 million that was approved in 2015 and private donations of $1,391,945. Thompson says residents can now go on the Knoxville Heritage Community Foundation website and make donations on there by clicking on Library Expansion. For more information, or to make a donation to the “Connect to the Next Edition” campaign. Or call 641-828-0585.