Dollar-for-dollar matching grants of up to $50,000 are now available for community-based energy projects.

Examples of qualified projects through the Power Fund Community Grants Program include:

•Promoting local energy efficiency and renewable energy.

•Establishing a community energy efficiency plan.

•Training or creating jobs in the energy area.

•Creating public awareness about energy issues.

•Helping community members understand how to identify and implement energy improvements.

The Iowa Office of Energy Independence is directing this program and the deadline is July 30. For complete details and an application, go to www.iowagrants.gov/outsideStorefrontList.jsp and click on "Iowa Power Fund Community Grants," or contact Kristin Hanks at 515-725-0440 or Kristin.hanks@iowa.gov.



Improve your land with the Conservation Reserve Program

Have you been thinking about what to do with land that is wet, has a steep side slope or is just unproductive? Consider putting the land into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).

The CRP benefits all Iowans by improving water quality, controlling erosion and runoff, and expanding wildlife habitat.

This year, you'll have the opportunity to take advantage of the first general CRP sign-up since 2006, but the available acreage is limited. Iowa's Farm Service Agency is encouraging all who are interested to be prepared when the sign up dates are announced.

More information is available in county USDA service centers, at DNR wildlife and forestry offices, or online at www.iowadnr.gov/forestry/crp.html.



Investing in Iowa speeds recession recovery

My number one priority continues to be ensuring that we make the economy work again for average Iowans.

Here's my approach: Create jobs and local economic activity now while building a solid foundation for long-term growth.

We've been creating jobs and boosting local economies by investing in transportation, public buildings, disaster rebuilding and prevention, wastewater and water improvements, housing and energy.

Iowans who believe in the future of our state are investing in their communities. Local governments and private citizens are increasing the impact of state and federal dollars by creating private-public partnerships.

Those projects and the efforts we've made to improve Iowa's business climate-especially for small businesses-are starting to show results.

You can read all about it in the first three stories in this newsletter (published in last week's Times):

•U.S. Chamber of Commerce praises Iowa efforts to encourage new job creation.

•Iowa's economy creates jobs, puts people back to work.

•Disaster recovery efforts stimulate Iowa's economy, reduce future threats.

We're certainly making progress, but we've got to keep pressing to do more to expand economic opportunities for all Iowans.



U.S. Chamber of Commerce praises Iowa efforts to encourage new job creation

Many national reports have drawn attention to Iowa's solid fiscal management and economic strength.

The latest comes from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber Foundation. It ranks Iowa eighth in the nation for state policies that support private sector job creation.

According to the Enterprising Statesstudy, "Iowa's approach to economic development focuses on developing a skilled workforce, increasing job and wealth creation, and promoting entrepreneurship."

The report goes on to explain that "Iowa has made a concerted effort to assist businesses to be more competitive, innovative and profitable in expanding international trade and exports."

More information about the study is available at http://ncf.uschamber.com/enterprising-states/.



Iowa's economy creates jobs, puts people back to work

Everyone I talk to hopes Iowa continues to rebound from the lingering national recession as quickly and as strongly as possible.

There's plenty of evidence it's happening:

•Iowa's unemployment rate is the 10th lowest in the nation, according to April data from Iowa Workforce Development.

• Iowa has added an average 3,500 new non-farm jobs each month so far in 2010. That puts us on pace for the strongest annual rate of job growth in 15 years, according to the Iowa Policy Project.

•The Iowa Business Council reports that our state's largest employers are confident about increasing sales over the next six months and many expect to step up hiring.

•Manpower Inc. gives Iowa the third-best employment outlook in the nation. Twenty-five percent of the Iowa companies interviewed plan to hire more employees in the coming months, while another 66 percent expect to maintain current staff levels.

Here's hoping these signs of progress continue and multiply.



Disaster recovery efforts stimulate economy, reduce future threats

On the two-year anniversary of Iowa's 2008 historic flooding and storms, June's heavy rains remind us of lessons we've learned.

We responded to those disasters with dozens of initiatives to help cities, counties, businesses and individuals rebuild safer, stronger and smarter.

This spring, we continued those efforts by approving much-needed infrastructure projects that also create jobs and give communities an economic shot in the arm. This includes:

•$30 million for the Disaster Prevention Smart Planning Local Grant Program for construction projects that prevent future disasters and use smart planning techniques.

•$30.9 million for targeted disaster relief and rebuilding, flood mitigation and construction projects.

•$2 million for flood plain management and dam safety, and $1.3 million for the Iowa Flood Center at the University of Iowa. The Flood Center will also receive 10 million federal dollars for flood plain mapping.

•$3 million for the Housing Trust Fund Program, which helps ensure safe and affordable housing for Iowans.

The Legislature is also implementing responsible policies to prevent and minimize damage when floodwaters rise again.

The Iowa Smart Planning Task Force is helping develop statewide goals for planning, zoning, development and resource management. The Task Force met for the first time on June 23 to begin preparing recommendations for the Legislature to consider.

To learn more about Iowa's disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts, go to www.rio.iowa.gov.



Iowa ranks 2nd in America for volunteering

Did you know that Iowa has the second-highest volunteer rate of any state in the country? That's according to a recent report from the Corporation for National and Community Service.

The "Volunteering in America" report shows that 38.7 percent of Iowans devoted their time to helping others in 2009. Plus, Iowans are volunteering even more than in the past, averaging 47 hours annually. That's 11 hours more than in 2007.

Iowans devoted a total of 109 million hours to volunteering in 2009. Giving that kind of time and talent to local organizations and communities ultimately produces hundreds of millions of dollars in services to Iowa.

For more on the "Volunteering in America" report and Iowa's ever-growing volunteer trends, go to www.volunteeriowa.org.