Des Moines Sun

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today announced a $96 million investment in growing Iowa's small businesses, including startups, manufacturers and businesses owned by veterans and individuals from diverse backgrounds. The funding is available through the U.S. Treasury Department's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), a small business aid program that was expanded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

The program, created during the 2021 legislative session to strengthen Iowa’s food supply chain and support rural development, was so successful legislators renewed it during the 2022 session. Grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded to eligible businesses, with a total of $1,000,000 available through the program in the current fiscal year.

"Small businesses and entrepreneurs dream big, drive Iowa's economy and make our communities better places to live," Gov. Kim Reynolds said. "Iowa had the fastest economic recovery through the pandemic in large part because of the creativity and resilience of our small businesses. This funding will build on the momentum by investing in our small businesses and entrepreneurs just as they have chosen to invest in Iowa."

The Treasury Department approved Iowa's amount based on a plan submitted by IEDA. Iowa’s SSBCI dollars will focus on encouraging venture capital and investment in scalable innovation companies through the following programs:

• Loan Participation Program for Manufacturing 4.0 Investments: $28 million to help Iowa manufacturers invest in the new technologies that are transforming the industry. The state will purchase part of the loan to help offset risk for lenders.
• Small Business Collateral Support Program: $15 million to help small businesses offset collateral shortfalls as they secure loans through commercial lenders. Eligible borrowers include small businesses that are 51% owned by women, individuals from diverse backgrounds, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and long-term rural residents; and small businesses that enhance arts and culture in Iowa.
• Venture Capital Innovation Fund Program: $22 million to increase funding opportunities across the state’s assistance programs for entrepreneurs. This fund also will provide more funding to address gaps in startup development phases as businesses work through concept, launch and expansion.
• Venture Capital Co-Investment Fund Program: $31 million to process and hold equity investments in private companies and ensure investments are qualified.

"Iowa’s small businesses have faced some of the biggest economic challenges of the last few years, but they also have some of the greatest success stories and we've seen a record-breaking surge in new businesses for two years in a row," said Debi Durham, executive director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority. "Our team looks forward to working with our small business and innovation partners to bring these new efforts to life."

The SSBCI was established in 2010 to increase access to capital for traditionally underserved small businesses and entrepreneurs. It was reauthorized and expanded through the American Rescue Plan to build on that success as businesses emerge from the pandemic.

Original source can be found here.