In FY2024, Owyhee Health Coalition, in partnership with the City of Marsing, successfully applied for and was awarded an Idaho Gem Grant to fund the Owyhee County Fitness Court.
The city was awarded $50,000 in Gem Grant funds, with $100,000 in matching funds to install the fitness court.
The Idaho Gem Grant is available to local governments of rural communities with populations of 10,000 or less and can be leveraged to plan and implement projects that create and retain jobs.
In FY2024, the team awarded 13 Gem Grants for a total of $555,193 for infrastructure projects across
the state.
According to Jolyn Thompson, City Clerk for the City of Marsing, the goal of the fitness court was to provide a state-of-the-art fitness facility accessible to anyone, regardless of age or fitness level.
As of writing this report, the city just held its groundbreaking ceremony and the fitness court slab is being poured. The city hopes to open the court by next year.
“The Idaho Gem Grant is important because it is a vital funding program that supports rural economic development projects in Idaho,” Thompson said. “By providing up to $50,000 in matching funds, the grant enables towns and counties to undertake projects like the Owyhee County Fitness Court that enhance the quality of life and install infrastructure improvements, which might otherwise be unaffordable for rural communities.”
Learn more about the Idaho Gem Grant program here.