Jacksonport State Park looking for funds for new facilities

Today's Newport Independent reports that Jacksonport State Park Superintendent Mark Ballard is seeking funds for the construction of a new "collection management" facility to house collections of artifacts when they are not on display and to aid in their preservation and care with humidity and lighting controls. Ballard also wants a new visitor center. He's hopeful that the funds for the collection management facility will become available through the real estate transfer tax and the funds for the visitor center from the 1/8 ¢ conservation tax (Amendment 75). Any proposed allocation must come through us in 2009. They, of course, won't be alone.