CHAPTER 106
COMMUNITY COLLEGE EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING FUND
261—106.1(82GA,HF829) Authority. The authority for establishing rules governing the community college equipment and training fund under this chapter is provided in 2007 Iowa Acts, House File 829, section 7(10).
261—106.2(82GA,HF829) Purpose. The purpose of the community college equipment and training fund is to provide financial assistance to support the purchase and licensing of equipment and software that are current and competitive for use in training programs and courses related to the targeted industries.
261—106.3(82GA,HF829) Definitions.
“Board” means the Iowa economic development board established in Iowa Code section 15.103.
“Committee” means the technology commercialization committee created by the board pursuant to Iowa Code section 15.116.
“Community college” means a community college established under Iowa Code chapter 260C.
“Department” means the Iowa department of economic development.
“Equipment” means hard assets that are current and competitive for use in training programs and courses related to the targeted industries.
“Fund” means the community college equipment and training fund.
“Targeted industry” means the industries of advanced manufacturing, biosciences, and information technology.
“Training software” means software for training that is current and competitive for use in training programs and courses related to the targeted industries.
261—106.4(82GA,HF829) Program funding.
	106.4(1) The maximum award shall not exceed $1 million for a single project.
	106.4(2) Funds may be used for equipment and software for training or for other project expenses deemed reasonable and appropriate by the department.
	106.4(3) The forms of financial assistance may consist of, but are not limited to, loans, forgivable loans, grants and such other forms of assistance the board deems appropriate and consistent with the needs of a given project.
261—106.5(82GA,HF829) Eligible applicants.
	106.5(1) Eligible applicants must be one or more of the 15 community colleges established under Iowa Code chapter 260C.
	106.5(2) Eligible applicants shall include one of the following:
	a. 	Statewide collaboration among all 15 community colleges;
	b. 	Two or more community colleges; or
	c. 	One community college.
261—106.6(82GA,HF829) Application and review process.
	106.6(1) A community college or a community college on behalf of a consortium of community colleges must submit an application for financial assistance, in the form specified by the department, to the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Innovation and Commercialization Division, 200 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. Required forms and instructions are available at this address or at the department’s Web site at www.iowalifechanging.com.
	106.6(2) To apply for financial assistance from the fund, a community college shall submit an application to the department, in the form specified by the department. The application will be reviewed by department staff, the committee and the board. The committee will make a recommendation to the board regarding an application. The board has final decision-making authority on requests for financial assistance from the fund. The board may approve, defer or deny an application.
	106.6(3) An application for financial assistance shall include all information required by the department including, but not limited to, the following:
	a. 	Project approach. A description of the project, including how persons from targeted industries and the community college(s) are involved in the project.
	b. 	Work plan. A description of the strategy and key elements to be funded that addresses the goals of the work plan, including project milestones.
	c. 	Resources and budget. A budget that includes a detailed description of the sources and uses of the funds.
	d. 	Project outcomes. A statement of the anticipated project outcomes, including how the new capabilities or new technology will benefit the targeted industries.
261—106.7(82GA,HF829) Application selection criteria. When applications for financial assistance are reviewed, the following criteria will be considered:
	106.7(1) Project approach. Whether the proposed approach is beneficial to the targeted industries and builds capacity at the community college.
	106.7(2) Innovation. Whether the project improves the use of technology to impact the competitiveness of the targeted industries.
	106.7(3) Workforce. Whether the project ensures competitiveness by increasing the skills of youth and adults preparing for employment or currently employed in the targeted industries.
	106.7(4) Collaboration. Whether the project demonstrates collaboration among community colleges, business partners, state agencies, and industry associations.
	106.7(5) Financial requirement. Whether the funding available is sufficient to complete the project. Criteria for selection of the final award may include the amount of matching funds and in-kind match the proposal brings to the project.
	106.7(6) Expected return. Whether the state of Iowa will realize economic benefits as a result of providing assistance for the project.
	106.7(7) Estimate for project completion. Whether the required work can be completed in accordance with the time frame for the project.
261—106.8(82GA,HF829) Contract and reporting.
	106.8(1) Notice of award. Successful applicants will be notified in writing of an award of financial assistance, including any conditions and terms of the approval.
	106.8(2) Contract required. The department shall prepare a contract, which includes, but is not limited to, a description of the project to be completed by the community college(s); conditions for disbursement; required reports; and the repayment requirements imposed in the event the community college(s) does not fulfill its obligations described in the contract and other specific repayment provisions (“clawback” provisions) to be established on a project-by-project basis.
	106.8(3) Reporting. An applicant shall submit any information requested by the department in sufficient detail to permit the department to prepare the report required pursuant to 2007 Iowa Acts, House File 829, section 10, and any other reports deemed necessary by the department, the board, the general assembly or the governor’s office.
These rules are intended to implement 2007 Iowa Acts, House File 829.
[Filed emergency 9/20/07—published 10/10/07, effective 9/20/07]
[Filed 11/15/07, Notice 10/10/07—published 12/19/07, effective 1/23/08]
[Filed 2/22/08, Notice 12/19/07—published 3/12/08, effective 4/16/08]