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U.S. Rep. Latham: Pushes for support for community colleges
3/2/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Fred Love 202-225-5476 fred.love@mail.house.gov

LATHAM PUSHES FOR SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES

LATHAM SECURES FUNDS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND TRAINING PROJECTS

WASHINGTON, DC – Iowa Congressman Tom Latham once again this past week demonstrated his commitment to community colleges by securing federal funds for a number of programs and projects with the potential to develop Iowa’s renewable energy industry and spark economic growth.

Congressman Latham has pushed to improve and expand Iowa’s community colleges throughout his career.

“Our community colleges offer Iowans a wide range of valuable educational and professional options, including job training,” Congressman Latham said. “It’s one of my top priorities to support our community colleges so they can continue to improve the lives of Iowans.”

Congressman Latham secured funding for several key community college projects in an omnibus appropriations bill approved by the House on Feb. 25. They include:

-- $1.4 million for equipment and supplies for programs at the Des Moines Area Community College Electronic Crime Institute, which trains law enforcement personnel in electronic crime detection and forensics.

-- $475,750 to Iowa Lakes Community College for a sustainable energy education center as a demonstration project involving wind energy and green building initiatives.

-- $475,750 to Iowa Central Community College for laboratory equipment for a nationally certified renewable fuels assurance testing program.

-- $100,000 to North Iowa Area Community College to support the Regional Economic Development Organization. The goal of this organization is to improve marketing and recruitment of business in rural Iowa and plan for the economic stability of the region.

-- $500,000 to Iowa Valley Community College to help meet the ever-growing demand of the Iowa Valley Education and Training Center, which offers professional and computer training to accommodate the needs of the local business community.

-- $333,000 to Iowa Central Community College for its Advanced Manufacturing Training Center to purchase a mobile lab and supplies to assist the center in providing an important link between Iowa Central Community College and area manufacturing industries.

The omnibus still awaits approval of the Senate and the president before it can become law. The Senate is expected to take up the bill in the next few days.

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