Independence Academy Charter School receives $160,000

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - Mesa County Federal Mineral Lease District (MCFMLD) awarded five grants for its fall 2024 grant cycle. Independence Academy Charter School in Grand Junction received $160,000 for new gym and theater upgrades.

"Currently, we don't even have a space big enough where we can even gather all of our students at our school to have an assembly or any of that kind of thing," said Lisa Gonsalves, Executive Director of Independence Academy Charter School.

The school is in the midst of building a new gym and theater, both buildings large enough to hold the entire student population. The grant will go toward chairs, a scoreboard and additional upgrades.

MCFMLD awarded 4 additional entities with awards, including the Plateau Valley School District, Plateau Valley Fire Protection District, City of Grand Junction and East Orchard Mesa Fire Protection District.

MCFMLD was formed in 2011 "to ensure that federal lease money that comes from oil and gas leases that take place on our federal lands come back and help the counties and cities impacted by oil and gas extractions," said Dusti Reimer, Grant Administrator for MCFMLD.

Entities funded with taxpayer money, such as school districts, libraries, municipalities and fire districts can apply. The next round of applications opens in August.