Stuart Enterprise for Economic Development (SEED) was recently awarded a $5,000 grant through the Ripple Effect Program.

The program is made possible by Coon Valley Telephone Company and their fiber technology partner Aureon, and the grant will be used to develop a comprehensive master plan outlining the feasibility, design and estimated cost of a possible recreational center in Stuart. This master plan will include space needs assessments to look at what style of building and floor plan would be needed, possible locations, preliminary site layouts, and many other elements.

An engineering firm will facilitate the planning process, but the development of the master plan will be a collaboration between the Stuart City Council, SEED and community stakeholders, with public engagement opportunities throughout for the community to give feedback and insight on what they would like to see. SEED is expecting to begin the master plan in the spring, followed up by discussions and potential next steps moving forward.