Over $1.5 million is available for state energy technology demonstration projects from the Iowa Office of Energy Independence (OEI). They are accepting proposals under the State Energy Program (SEP) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for Technology Demonstration projects to create jobs and stimulate the economy. The funding must go for innovative uses of commercialized technologies or to implement energy technologies that are not currently widely used in Iowa.

The grant application deadline is June 30, 2010 with a maximum per project award of $250,000.
Eligible applicants would be public, private and non-profit sector entities. Potential applicants may now go online at www.iowagrants.gov to apply for this grant funding opportunity.

The OEI will host a webinar informational session on May 25, 2010 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM to provide guidance concerning the state’s grant application website. The webinar will provide training on using the Iowa Grants Enterprise Management System (IGEMS). Those interested may register at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/788854673. During the session the Office will explain the online registration process, components of the web application and how to successfully complete the process.

For OEI general energy program information, please visit: www.energy.iowa.gov

The 2010 legislative session adjourned on Tuesday, March 30th, and the Iowa Legislature responsibly balanced the state budget without raising taxes while laying the groundwork for Iowa’s economic recovery.

During these tough economic times, we focused on the priorities of middle class families – balancing the budget, good-paying jobs and a quality education. We made tough choices and reorganized state government to find over $265 million in savings instead of raising taxes, which has put Iowa in a much better position than many other states.
For Fiscal Year 2011, which starts July 1, the budget plan approved spends less than last year and even spends less than the state budget approved four years ago. The ending balance next year will be over $180 million and an additional $200 million will still be in the state’s savings account.

The Legislature approved a new $5 million small business loan fund and expanded technical assistance for businesses and entrepreneurs. An additional $100,000 was given to Iowa Small Business Development Centers, which provide one on one counseling and support for business owners at 15 locations across Iowa, and the state also expanded on-line support for Iowa small businesses at MyEntre.Net.

Legislators increased funding for k-12 schools $147 million next year, expanded preschool to all four year olds, and continued plans to make sure every student graduates with the skills necessary to land a good-paying job in today’s global economy.

In another effort to create good-paying jobs, the Iowa House approved a series of initiatives to help small businesses today, including a new Save Our Small Business Fund designed to help business owners having trouble accessing resources to stay open or expand.

The small business initiatives were approved on Senate File 2389. The Save Our Small Business Fund will provide loans up to $50,000 to small businesses with under 35 employees. Other pieces of the initiative include expanding eligible for the state’s loan buy-down program (Linked Investment for Tomorrow Fund), a statewide website of vacant buildings targeted for redevelopment, one comprehensive website with links to all assistance available to small businesses, and a special committee to find ways to reduce regulatory barriers facing small businesses.

In addition to the incentives approved today, lawmakers have already provided an additional $100,000 for Small Business Development Centers, expanded the statewide MyEntre.Net program to help accelerate the growth of firms most likely to create jobs in Iowa, and kept Iowa’s 55 Workforce Development Centers open to help the unemployed find work or get job training assistance.

State Representatives John Beard and Helen Miller wrap up the last day of session on March 30, 2010.

From left to right Doug Hillman, Michael Peters (Chair), Iowa Prison Industry director Roger Baysden, Rep. Helen Miller and Robert Carr at NCCF in Rockwell City, Iowa.

Rep. Miller and Parliamentarian Ned O’Sullivan

Rep. Miller with Jamie Anderson, Director of Fort Dodge Human Rights Commission and Jarrod Feld

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3.5.10

Iowa families are encouraged to take advantage of the nation’s first dental-only program for underinsured children. The dental-only program is open to children in families whose income would qualify for the Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (hawk-i) program and who have health insurance that does not include dental care.

The program is free to families with incomes below 150 percent of poverty and will cost no more than $30 a month, depending on family size and income. The maximum family income threshold is three times the poverty level, or $43,710 for a family of two.

Parents can call 1-800-257-8563 with questions or visit www.hawk-i.org for more information on how to apply. In addition to routine dental care, the program also covers medically-necessary dental work.