The following Financial Assistance Programs are availalbe from the State of Iowa.

For more information about these programs, please contact Winneshiek County Development, Inc. at at 563-382-6061 or wcdi@alpinecom.net.

Community Economic Betterment Account (CEBA)

The CEBA program provides financial assistance to companies that create new employment opportunities and/or retain existing jobs, and make new capital investment in Iowa. The amount of funding is based, in part, on the number of jobs to be created/retained. Funds are provided in the form of loans and forgivable loans.

Economic Development Set-Aside Program (EDSA)

The EDSA program provides financial assistance to companies that create new employment opportunities and/or retain existing jobs, and make new capital investment in Iowa. The amount of funding is based, in part, on the number of jobs to be created/retained. Funds are provided in the form of loans and forgivable loans. At least 51 percent of the created/retained employment opportunities must be made available to individuals presently earning wages defined as low-and-moderate income.

Value-Added Products and Processes Financial Assistance Program (VAAPFAP)

The Value-Added Agricultural Products and Processes Financial Assistance Program seeks to increase the innovative utilization of Iowa's agricultural commodities. It accomplishes this by investing in the development of new agri-products and new processing technologies. Financial assistance is provided in the form of loans and forgivable loans.

New Jobs and Income Program (NJIP)

The Iowa New Jobs and Income Program provides a package of tax credits and
exemptions to businesses making a capital investment of at least $11.4 million and creating 50 or more jobs meeting wage and benefit targets. Qualifying businesses participating in NJIP receive substantial benefits.

Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training Program (260E)

The Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training Program provides customized classroom instruction, on-the-job training and other training activities for employees in newly created jobs. An employer may be reimbursed up to 50 percent of new employees' wages for on-the-job training. All training is customized to the company's special needs. Community colleges finance the program by the sale of tax-exempt bonds that are repaid by the tax revenue generated by the salaries and capital invested to support the new jobs. As a result company profits are not used to repay the bonds.

Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE)

RISE is an Iowa Department of Transportation program designed to promote economic development through construction of roads and streets. Money comes from a 1.55-cent gas tax.

There are two elements: competitive, which provides up to 50 percent funding; and immediate opportunity, which provides up to 80 percent funding. Decorah Jobs received a $377,265 RISE grant in 2000 to pay for half of the construction costs of Sweet Parkway Road.

Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDLG)

The REDLG program provides no interest loans up to $450,000 to promote economic development projects. The money is provided to rural electric cooperatives that in turn relend funds for local projects. Decorah Jobs received $262,000 in REDLG loans in 2001 ($240,000) and 2002 ($22,000.)