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Iowa Unemployment Grant Proposal

May 31st, 2007 Posted by Amelia

US Secretary of Labor, Elaine L. Chao recently announced a competition for the third generation of WIRED grants recently. Speaking about WIRED grants she said, “The WIRED initiative recognizes that local economies often do not neatly conform to geographic boundaries.”

The national unemployment figures are low at present. For highly skilled workers the rate is around 1.9%, these include those with a college education. The general national figure is around 4% nationwide. However there are area throughout the Unites States that traditionally suffer from regions of high unemployment, and it is hoped that the WIRED grants will help these areas to transform their regional economies.

For some residents, an Iowa unemployment grant would be great news. Some areas of the state suffer from higher than average unemployment.

WIRED stands for the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development Initiative.

There is fierce competition for these grants, and each governor was sent a letter from the Dept of Labor outlining the correct submission procedures. Each governor can submit two proposals of up to $5 million each. Each region that is competing for a WIRED grant must show that they can match the Department of Labors investment through private, regional or state funding.

Competition for WIRED grants is high, but the rewards are great. Secretary Chao pointed out that “WIRED brings together universities, businesses, community colleges, foundations and economic development organizations to help equip regional workforces with the skills needed to succeed in the 21^st century worldwide economy.”

The purpose of WIRED grants is to stimulate regional economies that have been traditionally known to have areas of high unemployment. It is hoped that these grants can be instrumental in brining down the unemployment figures in these areas. In 2006 (February) WIRED was launched through a competitive grant process by the Department of Labor. Thirteen regions were successful in being chosen, and had the opportunity of transforming their economy.