Austin VFW post No. 1216 received $8,253 to buy new uniforms recently. Pictured, in no particular order, is Clayton Oehler, Russell Ashley, Debbie Hanson, Scott Wiechmann, Norman Hecimovich, Mel Flicek and Norman E. Hecimovich. Photo provided

The Austin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1216 is getting new uniforms, thanks to an Iowa casino.

Last week, the Worth County Development Authority awarded more than $855,000 in grants during its semi-annual banquet at Diamond Jo Casino. Austin’s VFW received $8,253 to buy 16 to 20 new uniforms to be worn at military funerals and other events.

Commander Scott Wiechmann said their current uniforms are about 30 years old, and they can’t order new matching uniforms.

The Northwood, Iowa-based WCDA — the nonprofit co-licensee for Diamond Jo — has given a total of about $32 million since its inception in the fall of 2006, according to Deb Hanson, chief financial officer. That includes education grants and grants given out to Worth County and other regional organizations.

Each year, the nonprofit receives 5.76 percent of the casino’s annual gross revenue.

Austin VFW members approved a $100,000 remodel of club’s hall at 300 Fourth Ave. NE, a joint project with the Ausitn Main Street project. The project is still pending approval by the Austin Port Authority.

The following were the other grant recipients and their projects:

• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1216, $8,253, color guard uniforms

• St. Ansgar Fire Department, $3,570, self-contained breathing apparatus tank replacement

•Worth County Fairgrouns, $193,830 to support the renovation of the grandstand

• Grafton, $2,398, bronze turkey statue

• Hanlontown library, $3,200, early literacy station

• Osage Parks and Recreation Department, $3,375, spring park frisbee golf

• Manly, $3,393, Christmas decorations

• Manly, $3,943, community center updates

• Graton fire agency, $4,290, handheld radios

• Kensett, $6,795, dump trailer

• Center Evangelical Lutheran Church, $7,500, parsonage bath and kitchen remodel

• Bethany Lutheran Church, $8,639, handicapped-accessible entry

• Manly, $9,406, town statue

• Worth County Historical Society, $9,932, Kensett log cabin

• Floyd County Fair Society, $10,000, ceiling replacement, equipment

• Grafton, $10,043, John Deere lawn tractor and motor deck

• Winnebago Lutheran Church, $12,148, exterior paint

• Manly Senior Citizens Center, $14,170, emergency stair replacement

• Manly Parks and Recreation Department, $16,728, Macer & Dunn shade structures

• Worth County Sheriff’s Office, $16,900, ballistic vests

• Kensett Fire Department, $27,873, tanker truck

• Manly, $28,700, cemetery road improvements

• Worth County Historical Society/Hanlontown Bank Museum, $37,375, exterior improvements

• Hanlontown, $39,125, water tower project

• Northwood, $46,230, public works equipment

• American Legion Post 110, $46,573, storage addition

• Hanlontown, $55,825, Main Street lights

• Worth County E911 commission, $56,480, 911 system

• Joice Fire Department, $64,410, self-contained breathing apparatus, equipment

• Joice, $100,000, water treatment