New Workforce Grant from State of Iowa for Manufacturers

Applications opened Monday, June 29, 2026, for manufacturers in the State of Iowa to submit funding proposals to support company-driven skilled worker training programs. The new program creates an opportunity for manufacturing businesses in the Greater Dubuque region to leverage State dollars with private investment.

Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Development (AMP'D) Iowa, the new statewide grant administered by Iowa Workforce Development, reimburses eligible manufacturers for the cost of training both new hires and existing employees. The program is designed to be employer-led, allowing companies to define and implement unique training that addresses gaps specific to their workforce or creates new pipelines for workers. 

Funding guidelines include:

• Up to 80% reimbursement on qualifying training expenses
• Up to $4,000 per employee trained
• Up to $250,000 per employer
• Both newly hired and current employees are eligible
• Priority funding for small and medium-sized manufacturers

How to apply and learn more:

• Review eligibility requirements and the Notice of Funding Opportunity at ampd.iowa.gov
• Attend the upcoming informational webinar on Tuesday, July 7 at 1:00 p.m. — Register via Zoom
• Submit applications at iowagrants.gov

To be considered in the first round of funding, applications are due by 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026.  Early submission is encouraged to take full advantage of the funding opportunity. 

Technical assistance from Iowa State University's Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) is available at no cost to help employers assess their needs and identify training priorities. Interested manufacturers should contact Tim Weiss, Strategic Advisor with CIRAS at tweiss@iastate.edu or 515-715-0992.

To learn more on whether your company qualifies or for support in positioning your application for success, contact Nic Hockenberry, Director of Workforce Programming, at nicolash@greaterdubuque.org or 563-557-9049.