By Mark Moran
Iowa Western Community College in Atlantic will invest nearly $1 million in vocational degree programs, including manufacturing, construction, electrical and plumbing training.
Supporters say the programs will help build the workforce and keep local people employed in their hometowns.
Atlantic Mayor Rob Clausen called the grant a “big win” for the small town, whose population has dwindled to fewer than 6,700 people.
“This can help us slow down or even stop that population decline,” Clausen said. “We know that when we have young people that are trained in the trades and are trained close to home, there’s an 80% likelihood that they’re going to stay close to home.”
The investment in Iowa Western Community College is part of the 2026 Community Project Funding initiative, which is included in the federal appropriations bill.
Clausen said the vocational training programs will not only help students, but also bolster the local economy. He said he knows from personal experience that employers need well-trained, work-ready employees.
“I was a self-employed roofing contractor for 40 years before I retired, and I know firsthand how difficult it is to find help,” Clausen said. “A lot of us have got the business. A lot of us have got the contacts, and the sales are good. It’s a matter of getting the work done.”
While most of the money is geared toward the community college, the grant will also invest in some programs that offer vocational training starting in high school.
Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.
