Des Moines, IA (Northwest Iowa Now) — The Iowa Economic Development Authority approved nearly 1.7 million dollars in grants to help 173 individuals and entities provide cultural experiences to Iowans. The grant amounts ranged from 548 dollars to Iowa City play write Andrew Snyder, to 50 thousand dollars for a movie about the Driftless region of Northeast Iowa.

Local recipients are 15 thousand dollars for the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji, and 5 thousand dollars for the Emmetsburg Main Street Community Theatre.

Elsewhere in Northwest Iowa the Algona Community School district received 34 hundred dollars for a recording project; The Le Mars Arts Center was awarded 5 thousand dollars for ongoing operations; and the Orange City Arts Council received 4 thousand dollars for a Japanese Storytelling, Music, Origami, and Tea project.