E-Power Marketing donated one-thousand dollars to the Grand Opera House in our home town of Oshkosh, Wis. The donation was made to the fundraising effort "Grand for a Grand" to get local businesses to raise money and help save a city landmark and community gem that might be lost due to needed funding for repairs.

The 1880s-era opera house has been closed since March of this year due to structural problems with the roof and auditorium. The cost of the repairs has been estimated to be $1.7 million. The state of Wisconsin has set aside $500,000 to help offset the costs and recently the Grand Opera House Foundation offered $250,000 in community donations and increased tickets fees. This leaves around $1 million left to be funded by the city of Oshkosh, which could be too much for the Oshkosh Common Council members and Mayor Paul Esslinger. They would like to see the community come up with $600,000 to match the city's contribution. This is where the effort "Grand for a Grand" was sparked.

Although the response has been great for the community's combined effort to raise the final funds, time is running out. The Oshkosh Common Council is scheduled to hold a vote on August 25th and is looking to see private organizations like "Grand for a Grand" come forward with contributions to offset the impact on taxpayers. Donations are still being accepted by a number of places in Oshkosh, including Glass Nickel Pizza Co. located on Murdock Ave. and AtomicKatz on Waugoo Ave. downtown. Money collected will not only secure a city historical marker from being lost, but donations will be put towards upkeep costs and help reduce ticket fees placed on performances in the future.

Labels: E-Power News