WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley announced today that the East Central Iowa Council of Governments in Cedar Rapids received a $96,607 competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration.
"These funds should help bring expertise in economic development to areas hurt by the flooding last summer," Grassley said.
The East Central Iowa Council of Governments will serve as the administrative agent for the Economic Development Administration, using the money to help fund a three year contract for professional staff for the Iowa Association of Regional Councils in Des Moines to advance productivity, innovation and entrepreneurship in Iowa. The Iowa Association of Regional Councils will coordinate regional economic development efforts, focusing on areas recovering from the 2008 floods.
The Economic Development Administration serves as a venture capital resource to meet the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States through the promotion of innovation and competitiveness and preparing regions for growth and success in the global economy.