Des Moines Register
05-23-07
$4 million goes toward small business help
The governor signs a bill that he calls 'Iowa's commitment to the American
dream.'
By JASON CLAYWORTH
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Iowans will pay $4 million to expand a program that helps women, minorities and
disabled people own or improve their small businesses under a law signed
Tuesday by Gov. Chet Culver.
House File 890 more than triples the amount of money going to Iowa's Targeted
Small Business Program, said the program's administrator, Donna Lowery.
Each qualified applicant will be able to receive up to $50,000 in grants to help
pay for business startup expenses. The extra money also adds a marketing
director position for the 21-year-old program, as well as technical assistance to
help mentor participants.
Culver called the legislation "Iowa's commitment to the American dream."
"We must make Iowa a state where everyone, regardless of race or gender or
ability, has the opportunity to turn ideas into reality and reach his God-given
potential," he said.
In a related issue, minority applicants for state jobs were one-third less likely to
be interviewed than whites over the past three years, according to an
independent investigation into Iowa's hiring and promotion practices that was
made public this month.
Culver said Tuesday that it is his job to make sure those odds are changed.
"It's my job as governor to do everything we can to prevent those things from
happening in the future," he said. "This legislation here today, I think does show
a commitment. ... It sends a message that we are serious about diversity and
inclusion."
Rep. Wayne Ford, a Des Moines Democrat, was one of the main advocates of
the bill and called Tuesday "a happy day" for Iowans who are members of
minority groups.
Classie Kinney, owner of Mr. Bibb's restaurants in Des Moines, got a five-year,
low-interest loan through the program about five years ago. She attended the billsigning ceremony.
"I might not have expanded" without the program, Kinney said.
Next up: Power Fund
Gov. Chet Culver today will approve a $100 million plan aimed at boosting Iowa’s
world standing in renewable fuel production.
The idea, called the Iowa Power Fund, is one of Culver’s top priorities. The
legislation would allocate $25 million during each of the next four years to launch
more aggressive research and development related to renewable fuel production.
The idea is part of two bills. One, House File 918, essentially creates the
program, while the other, House File 927, allocates money for it.
Culver will sign the bills during ceremonies at Iowa State University and at the
University of Northern Iowa.
Culver noted that those universities are already among some of the leaders in
alternative energy research in the state, and it is likely that some of the Power
Fund will be used to create or enhance those efforts.
Universities “will continue to be economic engines, and it’s very likely … we will
be able to attract more entrepreneurs, more researchers and ultimately more
jobs because of that,” Culver said.
Reporter Jason Clayworth can be reached at (515) 699-7058 or
jclayworth@dmreg.com