Six Iowa Quad Cities manufacturers will be investing in new manufacturing and technology tools to improve their operations and address workforce issues thanks to the state’s new Manufacturing 4.0 grants. Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced late last week that the state had awarded $20 million in Manufacturing 4.0 Workforce […]
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Six Iowa Quad Cities manufacturers will be investing in new manufacturing and technology tools to improve their operations and address workforce issues thanks to the state’s new Manufacturing 4.0 grants.
Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced late last week that the state had awarded $20 million in Manufacturing 4.0 Workforce Innovation grants to 46 Iowa companies and an additional $1.9 million in Equipment Technology Investment Grants to 37 companies across the state.
“Our Manufacturing 4.0 initiative focuses on one of Iowa’s largest industries, and will help them unleash new potential to grow their businesses,” Ms. Reynolds said in a news release. “To maintain our economic vitality in this sector, particularly as we work to mitigate ongoing workforce shortages, these grants serve as a critical resource to support advanced manufacturing businesses.”
Iowa’s Manufacturing 4.0 plan, launched in February 2021, creates a roadmap to help Iowa manufacturers remain globally competitive through a fourth industrial revolution that emphasizes automation and smart technology.
The Workforce Innovation grants are geared toward Iowa manufacturers with between 76 and 250 employees across locations in Industry 4.0 technologies to address workforce issues exacerbated by the negative impacts of COVID-19. Grants of up to $500,000 were awarded, and companies were required to have a minimum match of 25%.
The Technology Investment grants were available to companies with three to 75 employees and for projects that encompass the adoption and integration of smart technologies. These recipients received up to $75,000 and had a one-to-one minimum match required.
Among the Manufacturing 4.0 grant recipients in the Quad Cities region, and their award amounts, were:
Workforce Innovation grants
- LeClaire Manufacturing, Bettendorf, $500,000.
- Lewis Machine & Tool, Eldridge, $500,000.
- Schebler, Bettendorf, $500,000.
- Sivyer Steel Castings LLC, Bettendorf, $500,000.
Equipment Technology Investment grants
- Air Control, Inc. (ACI Fabricators), Clinton, $50,000.
- Douglas Machine and Engineering LLC, Davenport, $50,000.
The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce was among the organizations that promoted the grants and helped educate Iowa manufacturers to the potential funding.
“We recognize our local manufacturers are facing compounded challenges with workforce and supply chains,” said Chris Caves, the chamber’s vice president, business & economic growth. “The IEDA Manufacturing 4.0 grants are addressing these challenges head-on and matching employers with dollars that will have a direct impact on their productivity and profitability now and into the future.”
According to IEDA, it is no longer accepting applications for the Workforce Innovation grants. But applications are still being taken for the Technology Investment program grants.
Applauding those who applied, Ms. Caves said the chamber “encourages those companies with fewer than 75 employees to take advantage of the dollars still available through the IEDA Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Grant.”
The funding for the Iowa grant programs was part of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The governor originally appropriated $30 million in federal ARPA funds to launch these programs in October 2021.
“It is imperative that our businesses remain globally competitive and a step ahead of the evolving demands of the 21st Century economy,” Ms. Reynolds added in the release.
For more information on the grant program or Iowa’s Manufacturing 4.0 plan, visit iowamfg.com or email info@iowamfg.com.
