Our guest on this episode of the Industry Iowa Podcast is Jill Lippincott of the Iowa Economic Development Authority.  Jill has many roles at the IEDA and most recently has been the point person for the Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Grant Program.  While our main focus was the grant programs, Jill also shares some exciting news about a new supply chain resource initiative as well as manufacturing trends and what’s needed in our educational systems to support the increasingly important role technology is playing in manufacturers across the state.

Did you know:

• There are two grant programs currently available for Iowa Manufacturers
  • 3-75 employees  -  https://www.iowamfg.com/technology-investment-program/
  • 76-250 employees - https://www.iowagrants.gov/insideLinkOpps.jsp?documentPk=1634306143520  
  •    – Deadline to apply is 12-31-21
• Manufacturing accounts for 18% of Iowa’s GDP
• 53% of Iowa’s manufacturers are in rural areas of the state