DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) have announced that $20 million in Manufacturing 4.0 Workforce Innovation grants have been awarded to 46 companies in Iowa. The grants are geared toward Iowa manufacturers with 76-250 employees across locations investing in Industry 4.0 technologies to address workforce issues exacerbated by the negative impacts of COVID-19. Gov. Reynolds originally appropriated $30 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for these grant programs in October 2021. 

Recipients received up to $500,000 in grant funding and a minimum match of 25% was required.  An additional $1.9 million in Technology Investment grants was awarded to 37 companies with 3-75 employees for projects that encompass the adoption and integration of smart technologies. These smaller companies received grants of up to $75,000 and a minimum match of 1:1 was required. 

Iowa’s Manufacturing 4.0 plan, a roadmap to help Iowa manufacturers remain globally competitive through a fourth industrial revolution that emphasizes automation and smart technology, was launched in February 2021. Among the companies, was Iowa Tool & Manufacturing, in Creston, which received a $50,000 Technology Investment Grant via ARPA funds on Feb. 28th. The total cost of their project is $160,700.   

A full list of the Manufacturing 4.0 Workforce Innovation grant recipients can be found here (link: Manufacturing 4.0 Workforce Innovation Program (iowamfg.com).

A full list of the Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment grant recipients can be found here (link: Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Program (iowamfg.com).  

IEDA is currently not accepting applications for Workforce Innovation grants.  However, IEDA is still accepting applications for the Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment program grants for smaller manufacturers (3-75 employees). For more information on this program or Iowa’s Manufacturing 4.0 plan, visit iowamfg.com or email info@iowamfg.com.