ARRA Grant Opportunity Workshop

Monday, April 27, 2009

On April 27th, more than 450 people joined Governor Chet Culver and Senator Tom Harkin for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Grant Opportunities Workshop at Dallas Center-Grimes High School. Attendees gained knowledge about grant opportunities funded through the ARRA and heard a presentation from an expert from Grants.gov. Attendees also participated in discussions during breakout sessions led by representatives from federal and state agencies for specific grant opportunities in the areas of Housing, Infrastructure, Small Business & Workforce Development and Energy.

You can visit Senator Harkin's site to watch the video featuring the Governor and Senator as well as videos about each of the breakout sessions. You can also download the handouts and presentation slides from many of the participants below.

Housing Improvements

ARRA will help with much-needed housing and community development upgrades.
Session Handout: Boosting Access to Affordable Housing

The Housing Panel participants were:

• Bruce Ray, Field Office Director, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Heather Honkomp, Housing Programs Director, USDA Rural Development
  Power Point Slides
  Slides Handout
• Tim Waddell, Community Development Division Administrator, Iowa Department of Economic Development
  Power Point Slides
• Joe O'Hern, Director of Housing Iowa, Iowa Finance Authority
  Power Point Slides
• Lyle Schwery, Homeless Programs Coordinator, Iowa Finance Authority
  Power Point Slides

Infrastructure Improvements

ARRA will help Iowa move forward with water, wastewater, and infrastructure upgrades.
Session Handout: Improving Iowa's Infrastructure

The Infrastructure Panel participants were:

• Steve Kovac, Branch Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  Power Point Slides
  Slides Handout
• Karla Peiffer, Community Programs Director, USDA Rural Development
  Power Point Slides
  Handout
• Bob Cecil, District Representative, U.S. Economic Development Administration
• Patti Cale-Finnegan, SRF Coordinator, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
  Power Point Slides
• Thom Hart, Infrastructure Manager, Iowa Department of Economic Development
• Lori Beary, Community Development Director, Iowa Finance Authority

Aid to Small Businesses and Workforce Development

ARRA will expand SBA and USDA loan funding and provide tax relief to Iowa businesses and provisions for "green" job training programs that will help drive the Iowa economy.
Session Handout: Boosting Small Businesses Across Iowa

The Small Business/Workforce Development Panel participants were:

• Joe Folsom, District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration
  Power Point Slides
• Randy Frescoln, Business Programs Director, USDA Rural Development
  Power Point Slides
• Kristy Maitre, Tax Specialist and Stakeholder Liaison, Internal Revenue Service
• Laura Stein, Project Manager Iowa Department of Economic Development
  Power Point Slides
  Community Economic Betterment Account (CEBA) Program
• Elisabeth Buck, Director, Iowa Workforce Development
  Power Point Slides

Energy

ARRA will be used for energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy.
Session Handout: Energy & Broadband Provisions of the Legislation

The Energy Panel participants are:

• Brian Quirke, Communications Director, U.S. Department of Energy - Chicago Field Operations Office
  Power Point Slides
• Teresa Bomhoff, Energy Coordinator, Iowa USDA Rural Development
  Power Point Slides
  Factsheet
  Chart
• Roya Stanley, Director, Iowa Office of Energy Independence
  Power Point Slides
• Bill Brand, Administrator, Division of Community Action Agencies, Iowa Department of Human Rights
  Power Point Slides
  Document

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