At the most recent Kalona City Council meeting, they held a discussion on how to best utilize grant money from the Iowa Resource Enhancement and Protection program, or REAP. City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh said some community members proposed using the grant to purchase the Bunker Mill Bridge for city use. However, Schlabaugh explained they did some research at the council’s recommendation, and decided it couldn’t be done due to insurance and liability concerns. He added it will likely take private or county ownership to meet the community’s goals.

Schlabaugh said the council will now most likely use the grant for improvements to the city’s trails, crosswalks, and overall connectivity from Harvest Hill into the community. REAP is a program through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that invests in protecting and enhancing the state’s natural and cultural resources. It was first formed in 1989, and receives half of its funding from state lottery receipts, with the other half coming from state tax receipts. The majority of projects funded are for soil and water enhancement and county conservation.