(Spencer)– The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is launching a new program designed to retain and bring young people back to the area. Trevor Smith, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the Corridor, says they’re excited to announce the Homegrown Talent Initiative…
“It provides $6,000 grants to individuals who are from our area who maybe left for college or for whatever reason, and then secured a job back here in their hometown. And what that $6,000 grant does is it’s paid over four years and it can be used toward student loan debt repayment, mortgage payment, or childcare cost. Those are the three large costs that younger Americans are facing, especially in our region. It may be a barrier for them returning back to their hometown, and so that’s one thing that we’re, a program, that we just started.”
Smith says a golf event that was held recently raised $7,000 for the program. He says applications for the program will be available this fall. Smith adds they plan to announce the first two awards through the program this coming spring.
