DES MOINES – Iowa officials recently announced that $20 million in Manufacturing 4.0 Workforce Innovation grants have been awarded to 46 companies in Iowa – courtesy of Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
These 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. 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.
“Our Manufacturing 4.0 initiative focuses on one of Iowa’s largest industries, and will help them unleash new potential to grow their businesses,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds, as she spoke of accepting the federal funds for Iowa businesses, only made possible by Democrats and President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Reynolds and all of Iowa’s Republican Congressmen opposed Biden’s plan.
I2TECH, a leading custom plastics injection molder and supplier of contract manufacturing services based in West Des Moines, will be using their $500,000 in grant funds to purchase robots to install on their presses. As a result of COVID-19, I2TECH clients’ demand increased when many other molders closed their doors. At the same time, the labor pool decreased, and the company found it difficult to meet customer needs. The robots will eliminate repetitive tasks, elevate their employees’ skills, and make it easier to accept new and complex projects.
FRM Socks, a leading domestic producer of superior quality socks located in Osage will be using their $340,000 in grant funds to replace an outdated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system with a more capable, modern, cloud-based ERP. This will allow the company to automate the flow of data throughout the entire value chain, improving interactions with suppliers and customers. The impacts of COVID-19 catalyzed the need to prioritize this upgrade.
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.
Reynolds originally appropriated $30 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for these grant programs in October 2021.
Let’s Go Brandon.
It is always Trump’s fault or Putin for the last 7 years, no matter what.
My cat pooped on the floor, Putin caused it and TRUMP let it happen.
And you stepped in it and smeared it all over the kitchen linoleum, didn’t you.
American taxpayers have lost control of our government which is oblivious to the country’s needs. It’s for Washington’s needs.
USA is run by Oligarchs (Senate, CEOS, etc) no true democracy here.
Adain, I must agree!
“Our Manufacturing 4.0 initiative” Love that the governor who was against this plan and very critical of it, now calls it ‘our’ plan. Wonder why she didn’t send it back. Probably because she will take credit for it now that it is here. Originally the plan was for $30 million and you got to wonder where the other $10 million went.
Aaaah, no “Reynolds originally appropriated $30 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds” See it works like this. You get $30 million, promise them $30 million, give them $20 million, then there is $10 million left over for you. Simple math, moron.
The top Democrats had to have their pockets lined.
Probably because it was our tax money that was beaten and taken from us in the first place. Oh, thank you, Mr Government Sir, for letting me have some of the tax scraps back that I gave you. Please, Mr Government Sir, may I have some more?
We pay taxes so we have the services needed to keep this country running. If you don’t like paying taxes, move or just don’t pay them. Trump doesn’t, why should you?