Iowans are bringing attention to why our community colleges matter. Through our action center, advocates can make a difference in just minutes!
Are you new here? We’re happy to have you! Your first step is to sign up as an advocate. You’ll join the 1,000+ Iowans who:
Advocates complete quick requests that have a big impact in just a few clicks. Each campaign gives you all the information you need to feel confident using your voice. Find out:
With 15 institutions and over 100 locations, Iowa community colleges are the most accessible provider of post-secondary education in the state—serving more than 200,000 students annually.
Most of these students are enrolling in higher education close to home. This means Iowans can work, stay close to family, and keep ties to their community while training to start a new career or advance the career they have.
Most of our advocacy centers on keeping tuition affordable while offering high-quality programs that meet workforce needs. Every perspective is needed in these conversations, from students to businesses to community members. Advocacy happens year-round by everyone who cares about community colleges.
Many Iowans are passionate about our community colleges but aren’t sure what advocates do. We encourage every advocate to “choose-their-own-adventure” and to take action however they feel comfortable.
Legislators want to hear from their constituents. Our action center identifies your legislators based on the address you signed up with and then offers a positive message that our team has drafted for you to personalize and send.
Community colleges move fast. We grow and adapt as we serve our community. There are so many perspectives on our mission, work, and programs. We need to hear them, and the public really needs to hear them. Share the link to our action center with a personal note about your community college story and tag Community Colleges for Iowa.
Think of who in your life isn’t signed up as an advocate but cares about our community colleges. Send them the link to the action center with a warm message saying you’ve signed up and you hope they join, too. It’s even more fun when we advocate alongside our friends!
The Iowa Legislature is in session from January through April (can be longer depending on pacing). During these months, our staff sends a weekly update to advocates with bite-sized information on week-to-week changes. In addition to being informative, there are often time-sensitive campaigns for advocates to provide legislators with insights on bills being considered. Some bills we are cheering on to advance, and others we are asking for caution. When they are not in session, we are still in communication with legislators to maintain positive working relationships and prepare for the next session.
Community colleges are an essential part of Iowa’s education and workforce system. Advocacy helps ensure policymakers and community leaders understand the impact community colleges have on students, employers and communities—and the resources needed to continue that work.
Any Iowan who cares about our state’s community colleges is invited to be an advocate. Many times, those most motivated to advocate are:
No. You don’t have to be a policy expert to make a difference. Sharing your personal experience, explaining how your community college has made an impact or simply encouraging others to support community colleges are all meaningful forms of advocacy.
Advocacy isn’t just a once-a-year activity. Staying informed and sharing your perspective throughout the year helps build stronger relationships with policymakers and keeps community colleges top of mind when important decisions are being made.
All three can be effective. Emails and phone calls are easy ways to make your voice heard, while meeting with a legislator provides an opportunity for a more personal conversation. The most important thing is to participate and make your perspective known.
Our focus is on bills and policies that deeply affect Iowa community colleges and our students. Most often, this means calling Iowans to advocate on a state level. If advocating on a federal level is of great interest, please contact us and we would be happy to provide guidance and resources.
Legislative Summary Reports are an analysis of the proposals, actions, and results during each year’s legislative session. Click the cover image of the report you would like to view.
Invest in community college’s ability to serve students and communities
Increase State General Aid to help keep up with rising costs while maintaining affordable and high-quality programs.
This funding request reflects the need to equalize funding for colleges that have seen large enrollment growth in the past ten years; therefore, half of the appropriated funds will go to those colleges to help equalize funding statewide.
Modernize funding to continue to expand concurrent enrollment for high school students to more careers, more places, and year-round.
Address the state’s workforce needs
Expand funding and continue to improve dedicated workforce education and training programs to keep up with demand from businesses and meet students’ needs.
Fund Governor Reynolds’ signature Last Dollar Scholarship program to meet the needs of students in high-demand programs and continue to address targeting and sustainability.
Serve Local Communities
Maintain strong local decision-making to connect programs to local community needs.
Change and eliminate policies that create unnecessary regulatory burdens to enhance operational efficiency.
Invest in community college’s ability to serve students and communities
Increase State General Aid to help keep up with rising costs while maintaining affordable and high-quality programs.
This funding request reflects the need to equalize funding for colleges that have seen large enrollment growth in the past ten years; therefore, half of the appropriated funds will go to those colleges to help equalize funding statewide.
Modernize funding to continue to expand concurrent enrollment for high school students to more careers, more places, and year-round.
Address the state’s workforce needs
Expand funding and continue to improve dedicated workforce education and training programs to keep up with demand from businesses and meet students’ needs.
Fund Governor Reynolds’ signature Last Dollar Scholarship program to meet the needs of students in high-demand programs and continue to address targeting and sustainability.
Serve Local Communities
Maintain strong local decision-making to connect programs to local community needs.
Change and eliminate policies that create unnecessary regulatory burdens to enhance operational efficiency.
Invest in community college’s ability to serve students and communities
Increase State General Aid to help keep up with rising costs while maintaining affordable and high-quality programs.
This funding request reflects the need to equalize funding for colleges that have seen large enrollment growth in the past ten years; therefore, half of the appropriated funds will go to those colleges to help equalize funding statewide.
Modernize funding to continue to expand concurrent enrollment for high school students to more careers, more places, and year-round.
Address the state’s workforce needs
Expand funding and continue to improve dedicated workforce education and training programs to keep up with demand from businesses and meet students’ needs.
Fund Governor Reynolds’ signature Last Dollar Scholarship program to meet the needs of students in high-demand programs and continue to address targeting and sustainability.
Serve Local Communities
Maintain strong local decision-making to connect programs to local community needs.
Change and eliminate policies that create unnecessary regulatory burdens to enhance operational efficiency.
Find the names and contact information for your legislators. (Click on their name, to see their specific information)
Use the following guidelines when sending letters or emails to your legislators.
Find general information about your lobbyists. Click Search Lobbyist Declarations (second line) for information on how they registered on a specific bill.
Community Colleges for Iowa has an open call for 260E success stories. Please share how your institution or business leverages 260E for workforce training, new job creation, and business growth. These will be featured on this page and in materials. To submit, email Executive Director Emily Shields at ejshields@ccforiowa.org.
Iowa community colleges have a longstanding history of filling local workforce gaps. Of the several mechanisms that have supported businesses utilizing higher education institutions to ensure a skilled workforce, Iowa’s Industrial New Jobs Training Program (260E) has been Iowa’s most effective job creation and training program, helping employers hire and train for new, high-demand jobs across the state.
When considering our state’s workforce challenges and ecosystem, 260E anchors Iowa’s broader workforce network and complements companion programs like 260F, WTED, and other college-employer partnerships. Those who have engaged in the program note its agility. 260E is unique in its ability to provide upfront training dollars for businesses to hire and train when the opportunity arises, not years later when a grant might come through. This creates employer-driven, concierge-level support from community colleges. Learn more about the real-world impact from our gallery of success stories.
These stories are consistently being updated and added to. Please return to see new additions or follow CCforIowa on social media as they are featured on our platforms.
Institution: Iowa Lakes Community College
Aluma Trailers has added 118 new, highly skilled, jobs to their manufacturing operations in the Iowa Lakes Region over the past 10 years with the support of 260E. As a lightweight trailer manufacturer, their greatest concerns have been time-to-market of new product offerings, and the workforce and technology needed to support new product lines. The training through 260E allowed Aluma Trailers to implement advanced manufacturing practices, robotics, and improved engineering practices. This has lowered overall product costs while increasing profit margins.
Institution: Iowa Valley Community College District
Colewell Automation in Montezuma, IA, started with two owners several years ago and now have 11 employees. They are a FANUC-Authorized Systems Integrator company offering turn-key automation systems, robot programming, project management, and manufacturing process design in the Midwest and nationwide. They currently have a 260E project and have recently partnered with Iowa Valley Business and Community Solutions for an open enrollment class, Introduction to Robotics and Automation. Co-owner Dustin Stowell, President and Director of Operations, quoted this, “Successful manufacturing requires skilled trades. We are excited to partner with Iowa Valley Community College to help build the necessary programs that manufacturers in Iowa are looking for. Through this partnership, we hope not only to teach our future employees, but the employees of manufacturers around Iowa. Colewell is providing the instructor and facility for this course. Due to relationships with designated IVCCD staff, Colewell Automation is also involved with the Manufacturing Focus Group and were a featured business at College Day on the Hill in February in support of the workforce programs.
Institution: Iowa Valley Community College District
JBS in Marshalltown is a pork processing facility owned by JBS USA, a global food company. JBS USA Pork is the 2nd largest fresh pork producer in the U.S. Currently, the Marshalltown plant has 2,400 total employees. JBS has been an ongoing recipient of 260E and 260F funding for their workforce. Iowa Valley Community College District has been providing industrial maintenance training to JBS for over 20 years.
As JBS hires new mechanics or promotes from within the company, they send these employees to the Marshalltown campus for Industrial Maintenance Training, specifically utilizing the Amatrol lab. The training is a hybrid approach where the employee can do online learning using the college’s laptops on the Marshalltown campus and have the instructor nearby if they have questions as they go through each module. To complete the course, they must pass a hands-on assessment using the Amatrol equipment, which is conducted with the instructor onsite.
This is ongoing training and is self-paced. Some students are done with this training in 6 months, but most take 9 months or even up to a year. Once they complete the course, JBS increases their wages.
Institution: Iowa Lakes Community College
Moveero has added 294 new, highly skilled, jobs to their operations in the Iowa Lakes Region over the past 10 years with the support of 260E. As a premier off-road wheel and hub manufacturer, their greatest challenges has been workforce and modernization. 260E supported better training plans for onboarding employees, which has vastly improved employee retention. The training provided through 260E also allowed Moveero to implement advanced manufacturing practices, robotics, and improved Quality Engineering practices.
Institution: Iowa Lakes Community College
Safco has added 153 new, highly skilled, jobs to their manufacturing operations in the Iowa Lakes Region over the past 10 years with the support of 260E. This has allowed Safco to stay innovative and profitable in a highly competitive industry. The training provided through 260E allowed Safco to implement advanced manufacturing practices, robotics, and improved engineering practices. This has allowed them to maintain their positioning as an expert in dental tools and supplies, providing professional service solutions to dental practices across the country and around the world.
Institution: Iowa Valley Community College District
Ritchie Industries in located in Conrad, manufactures livestock watering equipment, and currently has 69 employees. Iowa’s 260E and 260F grant programs have been designed to empower businesses like Ritchie Industries to invest in their workforce. By leveraging these grants, companies can equip their teams with the skills they need to stay competitive and achieve their strategic goals.
“I’m so grateful to work for a company that truly values its employees. Ritchie has provided me with incredible opportunities to learn and grow, and Iowa Valley Business and Community Solutions has been a fantastic partner in helping me achieve my goals,” said Stacey Zemon, human resources manager.
“When you invest in your employees, you will see great returns in your bottom line. Training is an investment in the future of your company. We are going strong in part because of the opportunities we have because of our partnership with Iowa Valley. We are poised for success in our next 100 years!”
Institution: Iowa Valley Community College District
Since its founding in 2015, River Valley Pipe has grown from a single location in Lacon, Illinois, to a thriving operation in Iowa Falls, growth made possible in part by 260E. Partnering with Iowa Valley Community College District, River Valley Pipe secured $79,740 in training funds to onboard and upskill 11 new employees. Thanks to this investment, the company exceeded its hiring goals, adding 13 new team members by 2023. Working with Iowa Valley Business & Community Solutions, River Valley Pipe developed a customized training plan that included leadership development, Arc Flash Electrical Safety, and CPR/First Aid—building both skill and safety across their workforce. The company’s success story is a testament to the program’s critical role in supporting local manufacturing, strengthening the regional economy, and preparing Iowans for high-quality careers.
Institution: Iowa Lakes Community College
Veridian has added 118 new, highly skilled, jobs to their manufacturing operations in the Iowa Lakes Region over the past 10 years with the support of 260E. As a fire protective gear manufacturer, there has been increasing competition in the market. The training provided through 260E has allowed Veridian to implement advanced manufacturing practices, robotic sewing machines, and improved Engineering practices. Ultimately, this has resulted in Veridian maintaining differentiated competitiveness in the marketplace.
