City of Newton, IA

11/11/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/12/2024 12:12

Jasper Community Foundation Donates $200,000 to DMACC for Legacy Plaza Greenspace

The Jasper Community Foundation recently presented a generous $200,000 donation to the DMACC Foundation to support the Legacy Plaza Greenspace project at the DMACC Newton Campus. This donation is part of a broader initiative to raise $4 million for the development of a new community gathering space, which will feature a walking path, artwork, pavilion, and other amenities.

The Legacy Plaza Greenspace is especially meaningful, as it was originally gifted to DMACC by the Jasper Community Foundation in 2007, following the removal of manufacturing buildings on the five-acre site. Since then, DMACC has owned the land and is now working to transform it into a vibrant space that will serve the community.

Dan Skokan, President of the Jasper Community Foundation, shared his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "We're inspired by DMACC's effort to develop this ground into a community gathering space that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The new Legacy Plaza Greenspace celebrates the past, present and future of manufacturing here as it also connects DMACC and the Newton downtown area to this legacy project."

This $200,000 donation marks the largest gift in the history of the Jasper Community Foundation, which was established in 1997 to promote philanthropy within Jasper County. The Foundation is funded by both state dollars and private contributions, and this gift underscores its ongoing commitment to enhancing the community.