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JACKSONVILLE Jacksonville center has a new name, more than half the money needed to expand Community center's fundraising goal for expansion is nearly $560,000, officials reveal Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 22, 2016 at 12:01 AM Updated Aug 22, 2016 at 9:39 AM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 22, 2016 at 12:01 AM Updated Aug 22, 2016 at 9:39 AM » Social News A $40,000 matching grant has pushed the Jacksonville Community Center's fundraising goal for expansion past the halfway mark, officials announced this week. Collins Foundation of Portland awarded the grant, which requires another $40,000 from individuals and businesses. Including the Collins grant, $289,000 has been raised. That puts the entire fundraising goal at $558,000, center officials revealed this week. In July, the center received its first grant when the local Carpenter Foundation gave $5,000 for the project. The effort also recently received a $10,000 bequest and two $5,000 gifts from local sources. Volunteer grant writer Sue Miler said a friend told her the center drive was a topic of conversation at a social gathering held last weekend. “People are beginning to talk about this. That’s the kind of visibility and buzz that we want to have happening,” said Miler. “It’s taken a whole lot to get to this stage where we have the lease from the city and the approvals. Now that we have reached this milestone, people are thinking this will really happen.” Center activities have taken place in the city-owned Sampson House, and the project will add 1,962 square feet to the current 800 square feet. The city has approved a 50-year lease for the property at $1 per year. The center has been named Cedars on 4th, a reference to giant cedars where it will be built on the corner of Main and Fourth streets. Center leaders had been quiet about fundraising goals and construction costs while they gained approval for the center from the city’s Planning Commission and the Historic and Architectural Review Commission and worked with contractor Ausland Group to develop plans. More grant applications have been made to support the project. “At least for now we will be staying regional. We are applying to foundations that have multi-state parameters,” said Miler. "There’s sufficient possibilities in this region to be successful.” The entire project is budgeted at $828,000, including $450,000 for construction and $108,000 for equipment, furnishing and miscellaneous costs. In-kind services and donations are estimated at $270,000, the majority of that being the lease estimated to be worth $230,000 over the 50 years. Jacksonville Senior Inc. has pledged more than $150,000 to the project, with the money raised from its operation of the Jacksonville Thrift and Collectibles Store. The community center group also has more than $50,000 available, much of that raised by artists through events. A dividable great room will be in the addition, and there will be smaller meeting rooms, an event kitchen, ADA-compliant restrooms and a small outdoor amphitheater. Actives may include art classes for kids, club meetings and well-baby clinics. The great room could be used for recitals, performances, reunions and weddings. The Collins challenge grant runs until the end of the year, said Miler. She was previously an AARP vice president for senior programs in Washington, D.C., where she oversaw a dozen activities that relied heavily on grants. She has lived in Jacksonville for seven years. “We’re committed to have the funds in hand before we break ground,” said Miler. A center website is under development. Donations for the drive can be sent to Jacksonville Community Center, P.O. Box 1435, Jacksonville, OR 97530. Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected] By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 22, 2016 at 12:01 AM Updated Aug 22, 2016 at 9:39 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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