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Cohen Announces More Than $625,000 for the Memphis Zoo

September 14, 2015

[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced more than $650,000 in federal funding for Memphis through several Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grants for the Memphis Zoo and the Metal Museum. The Memphis Zoo was awarded two grants totaling $627,160 for facility upgrades and research projects, and the Metal Museum was awarded $26,000 to help digitize its archives.

“This infusion of federal funding will support and improve our city’s world-class zoo for all Memphians and help attract tourists,” said Congressman Cohen.

An independent federal agency, the Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. The IMLS is engaged in grant making, policy development and research help libraries and museums advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. The Memphis Zoo was founded in 1906 and today houses more than 500 different animal species and the Metal Museum is the nation’s only institution dedicated solely to art and craft of fine metalwork.