Pocahontas County Receives 2026 Iowa Tourism Grant for County Kaleidoscopes
Pocahontas County Economic Development Commission is one of the recipients for this year’s 2026 Iowa Tourism Grant. The entity received an $8,700 grant award through the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) office to market the county-wide life-size kaleidoscope initiative that was completed in 2025.
“This grant is an important investment in Pocahontas County,” said MaryJo Litwiller, Executive Director of Pocahontas County Economic Development. “Tourism plays a vital role in our local economy, and this funding allows us to showcase what makes our community unique while supporting local businesses and community pride.”
The grant funds will be used to market the kaleidoscopes on a national and international level, with a goal of bringing out of state tourists to Pocahontas County. Podcast ads will be ran from March through June on The MinnMax Show, and social media influencer Oh My! Omaha will be doing a promotion of the kaleidoscopes during that same timeframe as well.
The Pocahontas County Foundation and Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce are financial partners on the grant, with the Foundation providing the required 1/4th match needed to secure the grant and the Chamber providing funds to cover help cover travel costs of the partnering influencer.
“The Pocahontas County Foundation enthusiastically supported the PCEDC’s application with matching funds to support the Iowa Tourism Marketing Grant,” explained Margo Underwood, Development Advisor for the Pocahontas County Foundation. “The County Foundation worked collaboratively with the Pocahontas County Visioning Committee to help fund 5 of the 11 kaleidoscopes located throughout Pocahontas County. Promoting increased tourism in Pocahontas County directly impacts revenue, workforce attraction and community pride which are the building blocks for stronger and more sustainable communities,”
“The Chamber is proud to be a small part of this project,” stated Pocahontas Chamber Executive Director Parker Aden, who assisted in writing the grant application alongside MaryJo Litwiller. “We recognize the kaleidoscopes have caught statewide attention already, and serve as a great identity for our community to draw more people in. We hope visitors from across the nation, and perhaps even internationally, can have a wonderful time in our county and discover the charm of a rural lifestyle.”
Approximately $300,000 in awards were given to 32 entities from across the state. This is the first time Pocahontas County has ever received this grant. To learn more about the kaleidoscopes in Pocahontas County, visit www.discoverpoco.com
