The Child Care Business Incentive (CCBI) Grant program has reopened to provide funding for child care initiatives in Iowa. This opportunity includes additional funding for current CCBI 1.0 awardees and a new funding round, CCBI 2.0, aimed at employers who were not awarded grant funds in the past. Applications for the CCBI 2.0 grant are now open and will be accepted until December 23, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. through iowagrants.gov.

The CCBI 2.0 grant is available to Iowa businesses or entities employing at least 75 full-time W-2 employees and not primarily engaged in child care services. Grants are administered on a reimbursement-only basis, requiring a 50/50 private funding match for all awarded funds. Eligible employers can use grant funding for projects such as expanding or constructing new child care or daycare facilities or partnering with local child care providers to increase capacity for their workforce.

Priority funding will be given to employers operating in Iowa counties classified as high-demand areas for child care, particularly those creating new child care slots across multiple age groups. Proposals focused on maintaining existing capacities will not receive priority. Additionally, priority is given to projects that include on-site child care centers or employers who have not previously received funding from the 2021 or 2022 Child Care Challenge or Investing in Iowa’s Child Care (IICC) programs. Exceptions may apply if the project creates new child care slots specifically for the applicant’s employees that were not previously included in prior grant applications.

An informational CCBI Grant Webinar will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 11:30 a.m., where program details and application requirements will be discussed. Registration is required to attend, and applicants are encouraged to participate to ensure a clear understanding of the grant process and expectations.

Applications will be evaluated through a competitive process, with preference given to proposals aligned with priority funding criteria. Questions about the grant program can be directed to Patrick Rice at Patrick.Rice@iwd.iowa.gov. Applicants should carefully review the Notice of Funding Opportunity document on iowagrants.gov and submit their proposals before the deadline to ensure consideration.

This grant presents a valuable opportunity for Iowa employers to address child care challenges, enhance workforce support, and contribute to meeting the state’s growing demand for accessible child care. Businesses and organizations are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this critical funding resource.