Homegrown Talent Grant

The Homegrown Talent Grant is administered by the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation, a regional economic development organization serving four counties in the Iowa Lakes Corridor region. With a strong emphasis on community revitalization and workforce attraction, the grant aims to incentivize recent graduates to return to their hometowns or other local communities within the Corridor to live and work. The program acknowledges the investment made in the education of regional students and seeks to convert that investment into economic growth and community enhancement by supporting graduates who choose to build their futures locally. Initially launched in 2025 with the awarding of two $6,000 grants, the program is expanding in 2026 to award four new grants—one for each county in the Corridor. The grant awards are disbursed over a four-year period at a rate of $1,500 annually. Eligible uses for the grant funds include repayment of student loan debt, mortgage payment reimbursement, or childcare expense reimbursement. Payments are made directly to service providers each December upon receipt of proper documentation, such as proof of loan or expense. Eligibility is tightly defined to ensure alignment with the program’s community-focused goals. Applicants must have graduated from a high school within the Iowa Lakes Corridor region and have either moved or be planning to move to a city within the region between January 1, 2024, and February 15, 2026. Additionally, applicants must be employed or have accepted full-time employment within the Corridor and have graduated from a two- or four-year college, trade school, or technical program within the last five years. Proof of qualifying debt or expenses must be included with the application. The application process requires several components: a completed application form, a resume, an unofficial transcript, proof of employment, and a narrative response document. The narrative must address several community and personal engagement questions, including reflections on the applicant’s hometown, motivations for returning, community involvement plans, and visions for regional improvement. Only the applicant may submit the materials on their own behalf. Grant recipients are expected to remain employed within the region for the full four years to receive the total grant amount. Finalists may be interviewed via Zoom or in person by the Homegrown Talent Initiative committee. Those selected are also invited to participate in public-facing promotional events such as the annual golf fundraiser or school visits, thereby serving as ambassadors for the program and helping to attract future applicants. The 2026 application cycle opens December 10, 2025, and closes February 15, 2026. While the program does not require a letter of intent or pre-application, completed applications must be submitted by the deadline. Interested individuals with questions are encouraged to contact Trevor Smith at the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation by phone at 712-264-3474 or by email at [email protected]. The organization’s office is located at 520 2nd Avenue East, Suite 2, Spencer, IA 51301.

Applicants should focus on community impact, reasons for returning, and personal ties to the region.