• Financially viable, private sector employers and certain nonprofit and local government entities (e.g., a nonprofit or county hospital) are eligible to receive R&R funds.

• The business or businesses must have been in operation for 12 months, not currently or recently experiencing bankruptcy, be current on all local, state, and federal tax obligations, and not appear on any federal suspensions or debarment lists.

• An eligible business must be located in Iowa and registered with the Iowa Secretary of State Office and have a physical location in the Mississippi Valley Workforce Area (MVWA).

• Businesses are encouraged to provide training to a group of employees and not individual training, although the number of employees in the company will be taken into consideration.

• Businesses should also demonstrate a commitment to retain or avert the layoff of employees receiving training.

• Public or private educational institutions, trade associations, community-based organizations, economic development agencies, unions, government agencies, or subject matter experts may provide R&R, and training can be conducted at the business facility, at the training provider’s facility, online, or a combination of sites.

• Employee must be at least 18 years of age.

• A citizen of the United States or a non-citizen whose status permits employment in the United States

• Employee must work at least 32 hours per week

• Employee must have an established employment history with the employer for six months or more and receives a W-2.

• Employee must be committed to attending all trainings.

• Employee must earn an hourly wage above the state minimum wage.

• Employee must agree to cooperate with data collection requirements.

• Not-for-profit agencies or organizations. [Note: This does not apply to hospitals operated by nonprofit or local government entities in the State of Iowa)

• Entities whose administrations only comprise volunteers.

• Local Workforce Development Boards and their administrative entities.

• Labor unions.

• Federal, state, county, or city governmental entities [Note: This does not apply to hospitals operated by nonprofit or local government entities in the State of Iowa)

• Anyone who receives a 1099 Form: or

• Those who are placed through a temporary agency.

• New hire orientation

• Degree programs

• Training that takes place where food and or beverages are included in the cost

• Self-paced learning

• Non skill related assessments

• Mandated safety training (such as OSHA)

• Regularly provided annual training

• English as a second language

• Basic skills or remedial education

• Non-job related training

Businesses will be required to provide a portion of the training costs dependent upon the size of the business and the number of employees either through direct cost contribution or in-kind contributions.

• At least 10% of the cost for employers with 50 or fewer employees.

• At least 25% of the cost for employers with 51 to 100 employees.

• At least 50% of the cost for employers with more than 100 employees.

The business must disclose cash and in-kind contributions. Examples of in-kind contributions, in addition to any direct costs, may include expenses associated with the use of space and equipment during the training project and trainee wages (including benefits) of employees during the training.