CLACC Receives $105,000 Grant

The Clear Lake Area Community Center, Inc. (CLACC) received a generous $105,000 grant from the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation for the purpose of upgrading the building’s heating system. The CLACC board of directors and grant writing committee members are immensely grateful to receive these funds that will allow for the replacement of the aging and unreliable heating system in this non-profit community landmark.

The Hugh J. Andersen Foundation, located in Bayport, MN, was established in 1962.  The Foundation’s mission is to give back to communities primarily within the St. Croix Valley including Washington County in Minnesota and Pierce, Polk and St. Croix Counties in Wisconsin. 

In the past 14 months, the CLACC Grant Committee has been instrumental in the grants received totaling $290,000. These grants are designated for essential capital improvement projects. In addition to the heating system improvements, the money is being used for a major asbestos abatement project and upgrades in the commercial kitchen. CLACC still needs over $500,000 for other facility needs, including replacing another section of the roof, acquiring lighting and audio systems and upgrading the stage in the Event Center, repairing the mortar of the 103-year-old brick building, resurfacing and expanding the parking lots, and replacing windows.

CLACC currently houses 32 tenants, among them are the American Legion Post 108, VFW Post 5828,  Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Lifeline Food Pantry, Community Theater, Willow’s Foster Closet, Child Evangelism Fellowship, the Clear Lake Chronicle Office and the Old School Thrift Shop. CLACC is also proud to rent space to budding businesses like Out of the Woods Goods, Kate’s Coffee Koop, Mystic Shapes, Whistling Pines Ranch, the Hair Barn  and Woods Cutlery. Not to be forgotten is Premier Gymnastics, CanDance Studio, Soli Deo Gloria Ballet Studio and Sunshine Fitness Center.

CLACC also has an Event Center, a Dining Room and commercial kitchen available for rent. For more information on helping to maintain this historic building, contact CLACC at 715-263-2233 or email CLACC.org.

CLACC Grant Committee members Marci Meyer, Tim Wyss, Muriel Nelson, Lori DeBoer, Wendy Schoggins and Shelby Meyer. Not pictured - Sue Anderson and Ray Cress.