(Atlantic, IA) – Iowa 3rd District Republican Congressman Zach Nunn, of Ankeny, today (Monday) in Atlantic, joined leaders from Iowa Western Community College, local government and economic development organizations, to announce new federal funding to expand skilled trades training facilities in Atlantic and Clarinda. Rep. Nunn secured the funding through the FY2026 Community Project Funding (CPF) process.
Nunn was joined at Iowa Western’s Center in Atlantic, by Iowa Western Community College President Dr. Dan Kinney. Kinney said the programs set to begin later this fall, dovetail on the $55-million bond the voters approved last Fall.
Dr. Kinney said he was excited to announced this Fall, IWCC will be starting a Precision Ag-type program for high school students to be able to come into the campus and gets hands-on high tech training.
Congressman Nunn said the nearly $One-million investment ($900,000) in the future of education in Atlantic and Clarinda serves many facets.
Nunn said the programs will help high schoolers and those already in college, get the resources they need to get the skills they want to start a career in the trades industry.
In Atlantic, underutilized space will be transformed into a new lab dedicated to manufacturing, construction, electrical, and plumbing instruction. The expanded facilities will serve high school students earning dual credit, adults pursuing a new career, and workers looking to add new skills — all without leaving southwest Iowa.
Dr. Kinney said the spaces at both the Atlantic and Clarinda campuses will be industrial, flexible training space.
Representative Nunn said the investment to expand Iowa Western’s skilled trades training facilities in Atlantic and Clarinda, will create new learning spaces for manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, construction, electrical and plumbing programs, thereby bolstering hands-on training opportunities aligned with Iowa’s workforce needs.
