The Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Enhance Iowa Board awarded $3,025,047 in Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grants to projects in 10 communities and a $350,000 Sports Tourism Grant to Newton Community Events Inc. to promote the NASCAR race weekend at the Iowa Speedway in June. The Des Moines Community Playhouse in Des Moines was awarded a $400,000 CAT grant toward modernizing and expanding the Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre, including a building expansion, storage and workshop space, meeting room, new costume shop and a configurable seating system to replace the existing fixed theater seating. The funding awarded to Newton Community Events will support marketing for the NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series races, including a a multimedia campaign in Iowa and Omaha, a street team, promotional events and small business activations. The Enhance Iowa Program provides financial incentives to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. For a full list of grant recipients, visit iowaeda.com.