North Iowa Area Community College to Receive $3 Million In Federal Funds

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today announced North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) will receive $3 million in federal funding to expand workforce training opportunities. The U.S. Department of Commerce will administer the award.

“Mason City and Cerro Gordo County leaders, along with Iowans who’ve attended my county meetings across our state, have told me about the workforce challenges they’re up against. This award will strengthen the regional workforce by providing Iowans additional resources to master new skills. I’m glad to see federal funds be put to good use in our local communities,” Grassley said.

Specifically, the grant will support NIACC projects to build a new continuing education training center in Franklin County, bolstering Iowa’s health care, construction and manufacturing workforce. This investment is expected to create or retain 105 regional jobs and secure $12 million in private investment.

As a member of the Senate Career and Technical Education Caucus, Grassley introduced legislation to simplify the Pell Grant process for community college students and cosponsored a bill to expand federal financial aid to certificate programs. As part of his 44th annual 99 county meetings, Grassley visited the NIACC NextGen Technicians Robotics lab to speak with students and faculty. He also met with Mason City leaders in his Washington, D.C. office in May and discussed workforce issues facing their community.