Black Hills Energy has contributed $25,000 toward a new library in Grimes, Iowa, that will help meet the needs of a growing community.

The contribution to Friends of Grimes Public Library was made possible by the Black Hills Energy Foundation and Iowa Gas.

“It’s our honor and our continued promise to be an advocate for what makes Grimes great,” said Pete Hamell, Iowa director of operations for Black Hills Energy. “The Grimes library is a key puzzle piece to our community’s success. They are attracting and retaining talent in Grimes, and they are building a sense of community.”

The population of Grimes has doubled from 7,000 to about 15,000 since the current library was built in 1994. It’s estimated the population could grow to more than 35,000 by 2030. The library also saw a 61 percent increase in the number of cardholders from 2015 to 2019; it now serves more than 161,000 people from more than 30 cities in the area.

When the new library building is completed in 2023, it will provide space for a larger collection of physical materials, study spaces, meeting rooms, greater access to computers and technology, and more convenient ways to obtain and return library materials.

“Black Hills Energy’s support of this project will go a long way to helping us build this new resource for the community,” said Cheryl Heid, Grimes Public Library director. “We are so grateful for the incredible support and for the shared commitment to improving the quality of life for people in the greater Grimes community.”

Black Hills Energy is proud to be part of such a great project!

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