NEWS & EVENTS
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011
WCF Awarded $16,000 Attraction Development Grant for Chrysler House Project - February 09, 2009
(Feb. 9, 2009) Wamego, KS — The Wamego Community Foundation has been awarded a $16,000 Attraction Development grant from the Travel and Tourism Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce. The grant will assist with Phase II of the Walter P. Chrysler House project, which is the construction of a parking lot at the Chrysler museum and visitor center.
“We’re excited to support [this] project,” said Travel and Tourism Director Becky Blake. “As travelers seek new adventures, it’s critical that we do everything we can to assist the Kansas tourism industry and continue to make Kansas a destination. The Attraction Development Grant Program is a great tool to help tourism destinations maximize their potential.”
Future work will include finishing the exterior and interior restoration and building an addition to house artifacts about Chrysler’s life and legacy, including the Chrysler Corporation, his involvement with General Motors, and exhibits about his years working for the Kansas Pacific (later renamed Union Pacific) Railroad.
“Once completed,” said René Eichem, foundation executive director, “this project will not only serve as a local heritage attraction for the residents of Wamego and Pottawatomie County, but also for motor enthusiasts throughout the country. We are confident that the Walter P. Chrysler Museum and Visitor Center will increase tourism in Wamego and Pottawatomie County, which in turn will increase tourism dollars spent in our communities.”
Julie Roller, development associate with the Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation, compiled the information for and wrote the grant on behalf of the Chrysler House Committee, the City of Wamego, and the Community Foundation.
The Attraction Development Grant Program assists the development of authentic experiences that encourage travelers to visit Kansas. Grants may be used for various activities necessary to expand the tourism product base or develop new attractions. The grant funds up to 40 percent of a project, with the community or business funding the remaining 60 percent. Funding for the Attraction Development Grant Program is provided by the Economic Development Initiatives Fund, which is derived from state lottery proceeds.
For more information about the Walter P. Chrysler House project, visit the Wamego Community Foundation website at www.thewcf.org or contact René Eichem, foundation executive director, at wcf@wamego.net or 456-8444.
About the Wamego Community Foundation
The Wamego Community Foundation was established in 1998 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. It created an efficient mechanism through which individuals, families, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and private foundations have been able to create funds and make gifts to benefit Wamego and surrounding communities. Since its inception, the Foundation has received approximately $1.2 million in gifts and donations and has distributed back more than $500,000 to the community, including scholarships, the Wam-Sag-Man recreation trail, and the Wamego City Park Train Enhancement Project, just to name a few.
| Wamego Community Foundation • PO Box 25 • Wamego KS 66547 • P: 785-456-8444 • F: 785-456-8443 • E-mail |