The local MIDAS Council Of Governments will receive $7,500 in federal funding through the Iowa Department of Transportation.

MIDAS was one of four recipients of the funding which was provided for eight Iowa projects that total more than $2.1 million.

According to Shirley Helgevold, executive director for MIDAS, the funding will be used for marketing of the MIDAS services using radio, digital media, and promotional media. The federal funding, plus a local match of $1,875, is typically requested by the agency each year.

“DART provides people a lower cost way to travel,” said Helgevold. “DART provides services from Fort Dodge to I-35 where passengers meet the Jefferson Lines bus to travel elsewhere in the United States. It’s important to local residents.”

MIDAS provides intercity bus services Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and takes passengers from the DART facility in Fort Dodge to the Boondocks truck stop near Williams where it meets up with the Jefferson Lines bus. MIDAS also picks up passengers from the truck stop and brings them back to Fort Dodge.

Other recipients of the Iowa DOT funding include Burlington Trailways, Jefferson Lines, and Greyhound Lines.