Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce Receives Grant from Google to Expand GrowCB Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Alicia Frieze
Workforce Development Director
Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce
alicia@councilbluffsiowa.com
Monday, September 18, 2023
 
 
Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce Receives Grant from Google to Expand GrowCB Program
 
Council Bluffs, Iowa – Council Bluffs Area of Chamber of Commerce, is dedicated to empowering local students and strengthening the community, is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a $5,000 grant from Google to further develop and expand its GrowCB program. GrowCB is an innovative partnership designed to connect school districts with local businesses, to provide students with invaluable work-based learning opportunities.
 
The generous grant from Google underscores the importance of bridging the gap between education and real-world experience, especially in today's rapidly evolving job market. With this funding, CB Chamber will be able to enhance and scale the GrowCB program, ensuring that even more students can access these critical opportunities and that the program partners and local businesses get deserved recognition for their efforts.
 
GrowCB is a partnership of the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce and partners with Council Bluffs Community School District, Lewis Central School District, and Avenue Scholars of Southwest Iowa. GrowCB is intended to be a conduit and platform for youth-business partnerships. The partnership will be ongoing in which businesses provide work-based experiences directly to area students. The purpose of such a partnership is to help young people appreciate the importance of quality education and how it relates to opportunities in the workforce. Students will also explore the local workforce while continuing to focus on their education.
 
Each partnership is unique in that there is no set curriculum.  If a business is partnering through an area school districts’ “work-based learning” or another student program, it becomes a GrowCB Business Member.
 
The grant from Google will enable CB Chamber to expand the reach of the program through testimonial videos and enhanced recognition to participating businesses and provide additional support to our program partners, Avenue Scholars of Southwest Iowa, Council Bluffs Community School District, and Lewis Central School District. As a result, even more students will have the opportunity to prepare for their future careers, and local businesses will have access to a pipeline of talented, motivated individuals.
 
“Google recognizes that a strong community needs its youth to partner with our businesses to enhance our workforce and economy;” said Barry Cleaveland, Interim CEO and President at the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce. “So we are very fortunate to have Google be part of our partnerships with the Council Bluffs Community School District, Lewis Central School District, and the Avenue Scholars of Southwest Iowa. Thank you, Google!”   
 
The Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce looks forward to the continued growth and success of the GrowCB program, thanks to the support of Google and its commitment to advancing education and workforce development.
 
For more information about CB and the GrowCB program, please visit: www.councilbluffsiowa.com/growcb