WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $250,000 Regional Innovation Grant to assist southeast Iowa with regional economic and talent development plans. Plans will be developed through the Great River Regional Partnership established to build long-term, sustainable growth in the region, which includes the counties of Des Moines, Henry, Lee and Louisa.

“This $250,000 Regional Innovation Grant will help Iowa’s Great River region target growing industries to build its workforce around,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “A strong regional identity and economic development plans that support regional goals will help ensure that the area’s workforce remains globally competitive.”

Since 2000, the Great River region has been heavily impacted by layoffs. With the establishment of the Great River Region Partnership, the area has taken a regional approach to economic development, identifying strategies for addressing layoffs through analysis of business, labor and employment trends. This effort aims to establish a plan that addresses current and potential dislocations in southeast Iowa and offers workers good employment opportunities in a changed economy.

Regional Innovation Grants are drawn from National Emergency Grant funds to assist state workforce agencies and local workforce investment boards, as well as their key partners, in the design and development of comprehensive and strategic regional plans focused on talent development that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century economy.

National Emergency Grants are part of the Secretary of Labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information on National Emergency Grants, please visit www.doleta.gov/NEG.