Employer Resources
IWCC - Economic and Workforce Development division has training programs and grant opportunities for Iowa businesses expanding their workforce, assisting their workforce, or relocating in Council Bluffs. Direct contact with their department's representatives are below.
VISIT IWCC Business & Community Education
Matt Mancuso
Ph: (712) 325-3375
E-mail: mmancuso@iwcc.edu
IOWA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY - HIGH-QUALITY JOBS
Contact them to learn about the Iowa Economic Development Authority's - High-Quality Jobs (HQJ) program provides qualifying businesses assistance to offset some of the costs incurred to locate, expand or modernize an Iowa facility. This flexible program includes loans, forgivable loans, tax credits, exemptions, and/or refunds. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) offers this program to promote growth in businesses, which employ Iowans in jobs defined as high-quality by state statute.
- Actual award amounts based on the level of need; quality of the jobs; the percentage of created or retained jobs defined as high-quality; and the project’s economic impact
- Local property tax exemption of up to 100% of the value added to the property to a period not to exceed 20 years may be available
- Investment tax credit equal to a percentage of qualifying investment
- amortized over 5 years, which offsets Iowa income taxes owed
- tax credit earned when the corresponding asset is placed in service
- credit can be carried forward for up to 7 additional years or until depleted, whichever occurs first
- Refund of state sales, service, or use taxes paid to contractors or subcontractors during construction
- Refund of sales and use taxes paid on racks, shelving, and conveyor equipment for distribution projects
- State's refundable research activities credit may be increased while participating in the program
Program details can also be found in the adjacent tabs.
The INJTP provides training dollars from certificates sold by Iowa’s community colleges. The certificates are paid for by the diversion of the new employees’ payroll withholding tax.
What training costs are eligible?
- Company and workforce assessment services and testing
- Adult basic education and workplace literacy
- In-plant customized training
- Credit instructional courses
- Vendor training
- On-the-job training
- Contracted or professional services
How does a business qualify?
- Businesses must be new or expanding.
- Businesses engaged in manufacturing, processing or assembling products, or conducting research and development are eligible.
- Service businesses must be engaged in interstate commerce to be eligible.
Iowa Jobs Training Program provides forgivable loans to Iowa businesses to train existing workers. The purpose of the program is to help Iowa businesses become more competitive within their industries by providing them with the resources to maximize the skills and productivity of their workers.
What jobs are eligible?
- Program services are available to employees who are currently employed by the business, and for whom the business pays withholding tax.
- Training equipment, materials, and supplies.
- College, company, or contracted training provider.
- Training-related travel.
How does a business qualify?
- Businesses engaged in manufacturing, processing, warehousing, wholesaling, or conducting research and development.
- Businesses in service industries must serve customers outside of Iowa.
CREATE OPPORTUNITY WITH BUENA VISTA UNIVERSITY'S STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
BVU.EDU/STRATEGIC-PARTNERSHIPS
Collaborate with BVU and offer education benefits to complement your current employee's benefits package at no cost to your organization.
Benefits of your BVU Partnership:
- Receive up to 30 percent tuition discount for undergraduate online programs
- Receive up to 30 percent tuition discount on BVU's online Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership graduate program
- Receive up to $2,000 annually for BVU undergraduate programs on our Storm Lake campus
Join over 100 organizations that have partnered with BVU to help employees and their families achieve their educational goals!
For more information contact
Laura Todd, Director of Strategic Partnerships | 712.749.2638 | toddl@bvu.edu
The Iowa Western SBDC is one of 15 regional business assistance centers statewide and serves small business needs in Pottawattamie, Shelby, Harrison, Page, Mills, Cass, and Fremont counties. Along with free one-on-one business counseling, the center offers other practical business services including market research services and a variety of business education classes. Please refer to their website for available workshops, resources, or to request a consultation.
Home Base Iowa is a free program for veterans to get assistance with their resumes, publish them online, and help them connect with hiring employers. Home Base Iowa business partners can see veteran resumes and businesses who are seeking candidates that match the veterans' skillset and job requirements will receive an email notification about the veterans' resumes. Employers may also search for resumes online.
IEDA has a number of programs available if you're looking to add high-quality jobs, provide job training, or retain job opportunities in Iowa. Refer to the link below to be redirected to their grow webpage to view all of their available resources.
Iowa's funding opportunity search and grant management system is a great way to continue to help your business grow and thrive. Continue to check back regularly for new grant opportunities of many areas of service and size. Currently, there are many COVID response grants that continue to be made available. These grants have a short turnaround time, so checking the site weekly is recommended. To get registered and monitor grant opportunities, please click on the link below.
Employers are critical in developing our workforce to meet key education and training requirements by 2025. Whether it is through developing apprenticeship programs or providing assistance through the Employer Innovation Fund, our Future Ready Iowa Partners have a significant impact on Iowa's workforce. To view their resources, please click on the link below.
EARN + LEARN
When it comes to businesses, there's one challenge that undoubtedly rises to the top: a significant talent shortage and skills gap that hinders companies' efforts to expand, innovate, and thrive. That's where Registered Apprenticeship comes in! With this program, you can recruit, train, and retain workers to build a workforce that meets your needs.
Best of all, you'll receive support to help build your program to ensure it meets industry standards - in fields that include everything from construction and healthcare to IT, advanced manufacturing and more. And offering Registered Apprenticeship opportunities is one way Iowa will meet its Future Ready Iowa goal to have 70% of its workforce with education or training beyond high school by 2025.
Please watch this short video or visit the links below.