DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has made one other $5 million in federal {dollars} out there for little one care grants as an incentive for companies to supply little one care as an worker profit.
The funding is the third spherical of the Little one Care Enterprise Incentive Grant Program Reynolds introduced final 12 months. This spherical of funding will make as much as $250,000 out there for 20 companies who’ve secured partnerships with native little one care facilities, based on the state’s request for proposals.
The grants will probably be paid for by little one care block grant funding within the American Rescue Plan. The state has awarded round $27 million by way of this system to this point.
“Incentivizing little one care initiatives by way of collaboration with native companies can assist Iowans pursue alternatives which can be finest for his or her households,” Gov. Reynolds mentioned. “Tackling this problem requires everybody in our communities to be a part of the answer and this third spherical of funding underscores our dedication to creating little one care extra accessible all through the state.”
Bidder proposals are due Nov. 4, Reynolds’ workplace mentioned. events can attend a Zoom convention on Oct. 10 at midday by visiting www.zoomgov.com/j/1606104580.
Iowa Utilities Board cancels month-to-month public conferences
The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) has canceled the remainder of its public conferences for the 12 months due to a excessive quantity of docket proceedings, the board introduced Wednesday.
The board has held six weeks of extremely contentious hearings on an software from Summit Carbon Options to construct a carbon seize pipeline that will run throughout greater than 680 miles of the state.
Canceling the conferences reduces the chance of ex parte communications on pending instances, the board mentioned in a press launch. Communication with board members about contested instances earlier than the IUB shouldn’t be allowed by legislation, based on the discharge.
The canceled conferences have been scheduled for Oct. 9, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12.
The board additionally mentioned it had canceled an October scheduling convention over a carbon seize pipeline from Navigator Heartland Greenway. Navigator requested final week that the IUB droop its software, saying it could replace the board with extra info in March, 2024. South Dakota regulators denied Navigator’s pipeline petition in that state final month.
Iowa AG names new chief of employees
Iowa Legal professional Normal Brenna Fowl has appointed Aaron McKay as her chief of employees, she introduced Tuesday.
McKay has labored in Congress for greater than 20 years, based on a launch from Fowl’s workplace, and he was beforehand the state of Iowa director for Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
“I’m so excited to welcome Aaron to our crew,” Fowl mentioned in an announcement. “He’s a devoted public servant with deep Iowa roots and huge expertise working for the folks of Iowa. I can’t consider anybody higher to assist lead our crew as we work to uphold the legislation, help our legislation enforcement companions, and serve victims throughout the state.”
McKay mentioned in an announcement he’s honored to affix Fowl’s employees.
“Legal professional Normal Fowl is a powerful advocate for the rule of legislation with a deal with conserving our communities protected,” he mentioned. “I sit up for becoming a member of this proficient crew and dealing towards our shared mission of upholding the legal guidelines and Structure and serving all Iowans.”
Iowa Workforce Growth launches new web site
Iowa Workforce Growth, the state company answerable for constructing the labor power, unveiled a brand new web site on Wednesday it mentioned will assist simplify the entry to company info and make it simpler for Iowans to attach with companies.
The brand new website additionally adjustments the location’s URL to workforce.iowa.gov, from iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov. From the homepage, Iowans can discover pages on submitting for unemployment, discovering a job, sources for employers and information on the labor market.
The redesign is a part of a broader effort throughout the state to unify its on-line presence and make state companies’ web sites extra accessible, Iowa Workforce Growth mentioned in a press launch. The company’s website’s design now matches that of the governor’s web site, Iowa Utilities Board, Division of Corrections and another state companies. Extra companies are set to transition to the brand new platform within the coming months.