Future Ready Iowa Employer Innovations Fund

Pictured Tiffany Tremmel, Chief Talent Strategist for Clow presents their partnership check for $5,000 to Paula Wright, Oskaloosa Superintendent and Stacy Bandy, Oskaloosa High School Principal. (photo provided)

Governor Kim Reynolds announced the first 13 recipients of the new Future Ready Iowa Employer Innovation Fund, a matching grant designed to help employers carry out solutions to help their employees achieve postsecondary training and education. The first round of Employer Innovation Fund Grants will distribute over $400,000 in funds to employers across the state.

Locally, the workforce committee at the Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group has been meeting monthly, setting goals for future workforce initiatives to take place in Mahaska County.

Oskaloosa School District Transportation Project- Partnering with Musco, Clow, Oskaloosa Engineering & Manufacturing, Interpower, Mahaska Health Partnership, Cunningham, Oskaloosa Chamber, Oskaloosa Education Foundation, Mahaska Recreation Foundation and Mahaska Economic Development. This project will increase the number of students gaining post-secondary education in the form of certificates and employment in high demand fields by providing transportation for students to attend Career Academies at Indian Hills Community College. Currently students must transport themselves to take advantage of these programs which is a financial barrier to over 50% of the area population. This project will include the communities of Oskaloosa, Eddyville/Blakesburg and North Mahaska. Pictured Tiffany Tremmel, Chief Talent Strategist for Clow presents their partnership check for $5,000 to Paula Wright, Oskaloosa Superintendent and Stacy Bandy, Oskaloosa High School Principal.