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Federal grant could help draw more money to effort
Federal grant could help draw more money to effort
$449,574 will help meet at matching grant for Potosi Brewery
by CRAIG REBER
POTOSI, Wis. -When a domino falls in Potosi , it sets off a chain reaction. For the Potosi Brewery restoration project, that's a dandy reaction.
On Thursday, the restoration effort got a huge boost with the awarding of a $449,574 grant from the Federal Highway Administration's National Scenic Byways Program.
The federal money could mean an additional $400,000 to the restoration effort that is estimated to cost $3.4 million.
The Potosi foundation, formed in February 2000 with a goal to restore the historic landmark, signed an agreement in November 2002 for a $400,000 challenge grant from the Janesville-based Jeffris Family Foundation. It has three years to match the Jeffris grant on a 3-to-1 basis. The federal grant brings the Potosi foundation close to matching the Jeffris grant.
Earlier this month, Martha Ragatz donated $100,000 to the effort. That came on the heels of a recent $250,000 commitment from the American Breweriana Association, which has plans for the national brewery museum in the structure.
Through fund-raisers and marketing efforts, the Potosi foundation has put $280,000 to the effort. The Walsh family contributed $75,000; Epic Construction, the project's contractor, $50,000; The Walter and Erma David family, $50,000; and TRICOR Insurance & Financial Services, $25,000.
Work is ongoing on the $1.9 million Phase 1 of the project, which calls for new windows, doors and a roof, and shoring up walls. Phase 2 includes the interior construction.
When completed, the building will house a Great River Road interpretive center, both the Potosi Brewery Museum and national brewery museum, a restaurant and gift shop and micro brewery.
U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, a Democrat, who represents the 3rd Congressional District that includes Potosi , praised the effort.
Kind said he has a "keen interest in supporting innovative and effective projects that seek to educate and enhance the services provided to visitors of one of the nation's most beautiful rivers and water resources, the Mississippi River ."
Darin Schroeder, Kind's Congressional aide, said the federal money is ready to go.
"They have worked really hard for this," Schroeder said of the Potosi foundation's efforts. "All their work is ready to pay off."
Schroeder said Kind's office has worked closely with Potosi community leaders on the project, including drafting letters of support to federal officials.
©2004 Telegraph Herald
