Nahant Marsh nabs $400,000 state grant, has plans to expand

Supporters of Davenport’s Nahant Marsh are closing in on a $3.7 million fundraising campaign that will allow them to build a new operations center, buy more land for habitat restoration and extend public trails, providing access to the Mississippi River.

The nonprofit board that oversees the 305-acre preserve and education center in west Davenport received a significant boost last week when the Iowa Economic Development Authority awarded it a $400,000 Community Attraction and Tourism, or CAT, grant. Approval also triggers the release of $200,000 from the city of Davenport and $100,000 from Scott County, amounts the two entities had agreed to chip in if Nahant secured the CAT grant, Brian Ritter, executive director of Nahant Marsh, said.

Other contributions have included $100,000 each from the Scott County Regional and Regional Development authorities, the nonprofit entities that hold the gaming licenses for the Isle and Rhythm City; a $175,000 grant from the National Science Foundation through Eastern Iowa Community Colleges; $100,000 from the Hubbell-Waterman Foundation; $25,000 from the Moline Foundation and various amounts from numerous individuals, businesses and foundations.