September 10, 2012
Harkin Announces $25,000 for Study Aimed at Leveraging Skills for Southeast Iowa Workforce
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Harkin (D-IA) today announced that the Area 15 Regional Planning Commission based in Ottumwa for Southeast Iowa has been awarded $25,000.00 from the Economic Development Administration. The funding will go toward a regional workforce report served by the Area 15 Regional Planning Commission, which comprises Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, Van Buren and Wapello counties in southeast Iowa. The report will provide valuable information to existing employers and prospects on unused skill sets of potential local employees and provide recommendations on how to tap into the region’s labor pool. This report will also provide a clear picture of the region’s workforce, which can help local elected officials formulate economic development strategies.
“By providing information to current and prospective employers on the untapped skill set of this potential local workforce, this report will help boost economic development in this area,” said Senator Harkin. “I congratulate the planning commission on this award.”