‘Environment’ Archives

‘Iowans Helping Iowans’ Program Offered State’s Flood Victims

A new “Iowans Helping Iowans” flood assistance program was rolled out today. The program is meant to help families and businesses get back on their feet after this summer’s floods. Up to $7.5 million will be provided for homeowner assistance, up to $7.5 million for business assistance, and up to $5 million for unmet needs totaling up to $20 million.

Anyone affected by the natural disasters in a county that has been Presidentially Declared for Individual Assistance is eligible for the “Iowans Helping Iowans” program. This includes the following 32 counties: Black Hawk, Cherokee, Clayton, Decatur, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Howard, Humboldt, Ida, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Kossuth, Lee, Lucas, Lyon, Mahaska, Marion, O’Brien, Osceola, Polk, Ringgold, Sioux, Story, Taylor, Union, Warren, Webster, and Wright.

Homeowners must first register with FEMA and be awarded some form of FEMA housing assistance to be eligible for “Iowans Helping Iowans”. Businesses must first be approved for a disaster-related loan by eligible lender, including conventional lenders, to be eligible for “Iowans Helping Iowans”. For more information visit www.IowansHelpingIowans.com.

In addition, the local Farm Service Agency is offering assistance to those agricultural producers who sustained losses from recent flooding. Visit www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA and select the State Offices link at the top of the page for more information.

Tags: FEMA, flood assistance, Iowan's Helping Iowans, President Obama
Category Environment, Featured, Rebuild Iowa, Recent News |

State Energy Program Announces Additional $2 Million in Funding

The Office of Energy Independence has increased the total amounts available for State Energy Grants from $ million to $6 million due to high demand for projects in the public and non-profit sectors.

The Office is currently seeking proposals under the State Energy Program (SEP), the Building Energy Smart (BE$T) program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), with a maximum award of $1 million available per project.

Applicants with shovel-ready projects may review the revised Request for Proposals (RFP) and are encouraged to apply online at: www.energy.iowa.gov.

Category Environment, Featured |

Business Growth Grants Awarded to Iowa Communities

The Iowa Department of Economic Development awarded five Iowa companies, located in Coralville, Fort Madison, Iowa City, LeClaire and Sioux City, a Grow Iowa Values Financial Assistance Program grant. The grants were awarded to support increased production and business growth in Iowa.

Fort Madison
Siemens Energy, Inc., in Fort Madison recieved $180,000 to support the extension of rail spur to service Siemens. This $1,350,000 project will extend an existing rail spur to provide capacity for an additional 15 rail cars. The improvement is anticipated to expand the number of blades Siemens could competitively produce by 660 annually and increase current competition distribution radius by 1,500 miles.

LeClaire
Mississippi River Distilling Company, in LeClaire, is a start-up company that plans to be the first micro distillery in Iowa to focus specifically on the production of small batch, handmade vodka, gin and bourbon manufactured from locally grown grains. The Board approved a $95,000 award from the value added agricultural component of the GIVFAP to assist with the costs related to the production of the liquors.

Coralville
J & J Solutions, Inc. of Coralville is a start-up company launched in 2008. They manufacture medical devices that optimize the safe handling of hazardous medication, such as chemotherapeutics, used to treat cancer patients. The Iowa Economic Development Board approved an award of $250,000 from the entrepreneurial component of the GIVFAP to support the development of this new product. The company expects to create 15 new jobs and retain three to support this new product line.

Iowa City
Responsible Transportation of Iowa City is a startup company that has been awarded $25,000 for technical assistance from the entrepreneurial component of the GIVFAP to conduct a feasibility study, plan for plant development, perform export analysis, engineering building design, and website design for their new company. The company intends to become the first pound for unwanted horses serving the Midwest.

Sioux City
Industrial Design Fabrication & Installation, Inc., (IDFI) currently located in Moville, is looking to lease a larger building in Sioux City to accommodate the company’s expansion, including additional equipment and employees. The Board approved an award of $125,000 from the GIVFAP and Enterprise Zone tax benefits to support the creation of nine new and 16 retained jobs.

Tags: business, business growth, Economy, IDED, iowa companies
Category Environment, Jobs & Economy |

Nominations Being Accepted for Rebuild Iowa Award for Service

Rebuild Iowa Award for Service recognizes Iowans who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in Iowa’s 2008 disaster recovery efforts.

The purpose of the award is to recognize, promote and honor individuals and groups who have been involved in rebuilding and/or established best practices in recovery efforts after the floods and tornadoes of 2008. (Please note that government employees at the local, state or federal level are not eligible for this award.)

Nominations for the Rebuild Iowa Award for Service can be submitted by individuals, local groups, community leaders, government employees, etc.  and will be accepted through Friday, June 11, 2010.  Nomination forms can be found on the Rebuild Iowa Office Web site at www.rio.iowa.gov or by clicking on the following link: http://www.rio.iowa.gov/Rebuild_Iowa_Award_for_Service.pdf.

Category Environment |

Energy Program Funding Available for Technology Projects

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

Category Environment |