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Gov. Culver: Touts funding for community colleges
7/29/2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 29, 2010

Contact:

Polly Carver-Kimm, Governor’s Office

(515) 281.0173

polly.carver-kimm@iowa.gov

Funding includes state aid, salaries and infrastructure

MARSHALLTOWN – Governor Chet Culver spoke today at the 2010 Iowa Association of Community College Trustees Annual Conference in Marshalltown. He addressed the trustees on their role in creating tomorrow’s jobs by providing an affordable, high-quality education to tens of thousands of Iowans each year.

“Every Iowa community can benefit as our community colleges help build the skilled workforce needed to attract high-wage jobs and grow our economy,” Culver said. “Nowhere is that more apparent than in the emerging renewable energy economy. There are now five wind energy technician programs at community colleges across the state.”

Culver told the trustees that the I-JOBS initiative has funded specific projects that help community colleges fulfill their mission of preparing Iowa students for the jobs of the future in advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and information technology.

The Governor said every community college has benefited from I-JOBS funding. A list of I-JOBS community college investments for each district in the state is attached.

This year, community colleges will receive more than $159 million in state general aid. The Culver/Judge Administration invested in community colleges with $10 million in additional funding in the FY 2011 budget and dedicated $825,000 to increased faculty salaries at community colleges.

Many of Iowa’s community colleges work with local companies on participation in the state’s Iowa Industrial New Jobs training Program, more commonly known as the “260E” program. This is an important part of Iowa’s job training efforts. Culver has asked the Department of Economic Development, Iowa Workforce Development, community colleges and the business community to review and report back on how our 260E program can be improved and extended.

Culver also touted these examples of the state’s support for Iowa’s community colleges this year:

· $2.4 million for a Vocational Technical Tuition Grant.

· $2.4 million for the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship, which provides $2,500 grants for eligible first-year community college students.

· $5.5 million for Accelerated Career Education (ACE), which allows community colleges to provide vocational programs and accelerated training for employees of local partner businesses.

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