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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- A new position to promote cultural activities in Wapello County should be filled in the coming weeks.

The new media and publicity coordinator for the American Gothic House Center and the Ottumwa Convention and Visitors Bureau main purpose will be to help bring attention to both organizations and what they do for the public in southeast Iowa.

“Our main goal for the project is to have this person really work to collaborate our two entities, as well as many other cultural organizations in the area together. We really want this person to promote all the cultural activities in Wapello County. The grant that we received will provide about 20 hours a week of funding,” said Holly Berg, Administrator of the American Gothic House Center.

Berg says that the position would not exist if it was not for a grant that was received from the state.

“We received this grant through the Iowa Community Culture Grant, which is through the Department of Cultural Affairs in the State of Iowa. So, by having this grant, one, it will promote cultural activities in the area which will drive more tourism and participation. Second, it brings in revenue for local cultural entities and businesses, and also allows us to have someone and it creates another job in the area,” said Berg.

Officials with the county are expected to fill the position in the coming weeks.