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VISION IOWA BRINGS $8 MILLION TO DUBUQUE
February 15, 2007

The Great Rivers Center, River Research Center and RiverMax Digital Theater at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium at the Port of Dubuque has just received a huge financial shot in the arm from the Vision Iowa Board. The Board yesterday granted 8-million dollars to the Dubuque County Historical Society which will be used in the construction process. Museum and Aquarium Executive Director Jerry Enzler says the total cost of the museum project is 38-million dollars. He says the 8-million dollar grant will support the 218 million dollar America's River Phase Two development, which includes over 180 million in leverage activity. The 8-million dollar grant is the first granted by he Vision Iowa Board in almost 3 years and the second one given to Dubuque. Enzler says most of the leverage construction should be complete and opened in 2008. The Great Rivers Center is expected to open in 2010.

RE: Phase II Open House
DATE: October 7, 2006

(Dubuque, Iowa)Officials from America's River Phase II, a project that made Envision 2010's "top 10 list" will be hosting an open house for the public at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium on Tuesday, October 10 from 5pm- 7pm.  The $82 million development announced last week includes a $32 million Great Rivers Center and RiverMax Theater and a $50 mllion expansion of the Diamond Jo Casino Entertainment Center. " The Great Rivers Center and RiverMax Theater is a tremendously exciting new museum experience,"  Jerry Enzler, executive director of the Dubuque County Historical Society said. "We will be doubling the size, scope and impact of the Museum & Aquarium by building this companion museum.  This open house will give our community a chance to see the project up close and to ask questions and offer their ideas."

The open house is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.  There will be a series of information stations concerning all aspects of the project. Community leaders and the America's River team will host each station.

" Dubuque is the front door to Iowa. Phase II is an exciting project which is not only good or Dubuque but for the State of Iowa, too," Senator Mike Connolly said. "Phase II takes the premier river museum in the region to the next level; the new campus will be the premier river museum in the Nation."

Phase II introduces two new buildings to the museum's campus; the RiverMax Theater and the Great Rivers Center. The RiverMax Theater will be a 250-seat theater where 3D/4D movies will be shown, and a museum gift shop.  RiverMax will be the only large format theater in Dubuque and will feature a specally produced feature on rivers and up to 8
additional films each year.

The Great Rivers Center will have A Rivers to the Sea exhibit, a Gulf of Mexico aquarium with sharks and jellyfish, exhibits about the great rivers of America, and an expanded National Rivers Hall of Fame.  The River Research Center will be a national center for animal conservation, habitat preservation, and river research.  The Great Rivers Center will
be located in the former Welcome Center and what is currently the Diamond Jo Casino Portside Building.

The largest portion of Phase II's leveraged growth is Diamond Jo Casino's $50 million investment for a new casino, bowling and entertainment center in the Ice Harbor. "The project has received overwhelming support from downtown businesses and our visitors. "
Natalie Schramm, General Manager of the Diamond Jo said.  The Diamond Jo Casino opened in 1994 and welcomes about 1 million visitors each year.

Topics covered at the open house will include:
• The Rivermax Theater.
• The Great Rivers Center.
• The River Research Center
• The new Diamond Jo Casino facility
• The new regional attraction bowling complex
• The market studies showing the positive impact to the community and to local charities
• The growth of the area as a tourism destination
• and the communities recent Vision Iowa application.

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City, Community Leaders Applaud Phase II

At a press conference held this evening at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Phase II received a well attended, community-wide send off to tomorrow's Vision Iowa meeting. Dubuque's "Phase II" is the sole presentation eligible for this round of Vision Iowa funding.

Roy Buol, Mayor of the City of Dubuque said "Tonight is a chance for us to be reminded of the tremendous success we have experienced as a community with the America's River Project. On the eve of our community's trip to the Vision Iowa, we know that some people in Iowa scratch their heads at our success and don't seem to understand that all of us here are family."  Mayor Buol and his colleagues from Dubuque's City Council unanimously passed the Resolution of Support for Phase II at a special Council meeting earlier this afternoon. "I have said it many times over the past year that the next five years will determine the next fifty for Dubuque and with me tonight are just some of the people who will help us make that future happen." Buol said.

The Museum plans to add the RiverMax Theater and the Great Rivers Center to their campus. The RiverMax Theater will be built adjacent to the current museum. It will include a 250 seat theater, where 3D/4D movies will be shown, and a retail outlet.  RiverMax will be the only large format theater in Dubuque. The Great Rivers Center will have galleries, the National Rivers Center, the Rivers Research Center and storefront retail.  The Great Rivers Center will be located in the former Welcome Center and what is currently the Diamond Jo Casino Portside Building.

"The National Rivers Center will double the size, scope and impact of the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium." Jerry Enzler, Executive Director of the National Mississippi River Museum said. "It will tell the amazing story of all of the rivers of America, their history and their future."

The Diamond Jo will build a new 35,000 square foot casino in the area just north of 3rd street in the Ice Harbor. Recent changes in gaming regulation and the current agreements with the Dubuque Racing Association and the City of Dubuque provide Diamond Jo Casino the opportunity to build a barge similar to the popular new Diamond Jo which opened last April in Northwood, Iowa.

The new Diamond Jo is a $50 million project that includes over 1,000 slot machines, 17 table games, a poker room, 36 lanes of bowling, and three restaurants; the Kitchen Buffet, Farmer's Feast Café and a signature dining outlet.  "Thanks to the Forward thinking of the America's River Partnership we certainly have a great place to call home. We are very excited about being part of the America's River Phase II," Schramm added.

Click here to view the slides on display at the event.

Ice Harbor Development
Press Release, September 28, 2006

America's River Phase II received a jump start this morning when the Diamond Jo Casino and the Dubuque County Historical Society announced their cooperative plans to transform the 3rd Street Ice Harbor. The plans include retail, educational and entertainment components for which Dubuque's first Vision Iowa Grant laid the ground work.

Diamond Jo and the Historical Society have struck a deal that provides the land and facilities both operations need to expand. "The Board of Directors and the Staff at the Mississippi River Museum are grateful that the Diamond Jo stepped forward during the application process for America's River Phase II." Jerry Enzler, Executive Director of the Dubuque County Historical Society said. "The Diamond Jo's generosity will help the Mississippi River Museum and the surrounding community reach our tremendous potential. Our campus will now stretch along banks of the Mississippi which, of course, is the most desirable location for us."

The Museum plans to add the RiverMax Theater and the Great Rivers Center to their campus. The RiverMax Theater will be built adjacent to the current museum. The $8 million project will include a 250 seat theater, where 3D/4D movies will be shown, and a retail outlet. RiverMax will be the only large format theater in Dubuque. The Great Rivers Center will have galleries, the National Rivers Center, the Rivers Research Center and storefront retail.  The Great Rivers Center will be located in the former Welcome Center and what is currently the Diamond Jo Casino Portside Building. The Historical Society's plan will be funded by the Diamond Jo, Federal and local grants, private gifts, and Vision Iowa.

The Diamond Jo will build a new 35,000 square foot casino in the area just north of 3rd street in the Ice Harbor. Recent changes in gaming regulation and the current agreements with the Dubuque Racing Association and the City of Dubuque provide Diamond Jo Casino the opportunity to build a barge similar to the popular new Diamond Jo which opened last April in Northwood, Iowa.

"I am very proud to present our plans to create the largest entertainment complex in the City of Dubuque." Natalie Schramm, General Manager of the Diamond Jo Casino said, "This is another great day for Diamond Jo team members, our neighbors and our community."

The new Diamond Jo is a $50 million project that includes over 1,000 slot machines, 17 table games, a poker room, 36 lanes of bowling, and three restaurants; the Kitchen Buffet, Farmer's Feast Cafe nd a signature dining outlet. The Diamond Jo Casino is confident that the Bowling and Entertainment Center at the new casino will help fill hotel rooms and the convention center. "Now we have the complete package; hotel, casino, bowling, waterpark and museum all working together to bring additional visitors to Dubuque." Schramm added.