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Corridor Accepting Applications For Homegrown Talent Initiative Grant Program

December 09, 2024 Steve Schwaller

(Spencer)– The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is now accepting applications for it’s “Homegrown Talent Initiative” grant program. Trevor Smith, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the Corridor, says the program is designed to bring young people who left, back to the region…

“It provides a $6,000 grant to individuals who are from our area who maybe left for college or 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 they can be used towards student loan debt re-payment, mortgage payment or childcare cost which are three large costs that younger Americans are facing especially in our region. It may be a barrier for them returning back to their hometown.”

The Corridor held its first annual “Homegrown Talent Initiative Golf Tournament” this past August. Proceeds from the event went toward the first grants to be awarded this coming spring.

Eligibility requirements for the grant include graduating from a high school within the Corridor region; currently living in or moving to a Corridor community; working for a Corridor business; must be a college graduate within the past five years; and have proof of student loan, mortgage or childcare debt and expenses. You can apply by clicking here.

Grant applications are being accepted through January 31st, 2025.

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