WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) -- There is much anticipation and planning surrounding the five baby elephants that will be born at the Sedgwick County Zoo next year. On Wednesday, the Sedgwick County Commission unanimously approved an application for a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior. The money would pay for a larger elephant boma, or enclosure, at the zoo. Sedgwick County Zoo needs more space for baby elephants Commissioner David Dennis is a member of the zoo's board. He says regulations restrict whether the U.S. can import elephants in the future, and having more space could put Sedgwick County Zoo in a position to lead the nation in maintaining its elephant population. "We're to the point where, if we want our future generations to see these magnificent animals in the United States, we're going to have to have a breeding program," he said. "This is an opportunity for us to be on the forefront of keeping elephants in the United States." If the zoo wins the $5 million grant, the Sedgwick County Zoological Society would match $2.5 million. Sedgwick County would match the other $2.5 million. "Our investment income has exceeded even our highest expectations for this year," Lindsey Poe-Rousseau, Sedgwick County's chief financial officer, said. "That is one-time money. We know it's not going to recur. This is a one-time project, and so that would be the source of it. That's also why we find it important to do it now while we have that unexpected revenue stream." Wichita man becomes chosen family, inspires producer to write award-winning movie Dennis says the cost is worth it because of the zoo's importance to the community. "It's the number one tourist attraction in the state of Kansas," he said. " Right now, over $60 million worth of economic impact per year that that zoo has on our economy here. It's going to bring in even more visitors because who doesn't want to see five baby elephants?" Click here if you would like to help raise the remaining funds to expand the elephant boma.