Homegrown Talent Grant

Homegrown Talent Grant

2026 applications now closed. Check back in December for 2027 application information. 

Purpose

We recognize that our four-county region has educated many qualified individuals over the years who have gone on and furthered their education. Additionally, our local employers have many high-quality jobs available, with great pay and benefits, for those highly qualified individuals to pursue.

Our goal with this program is to do what we can to encourage these former students, and now recent college graduates, to consider coming back, making the Corridor their home, and filling the high-quality jobs available locally.

Homegrown Talent Initiative Award

Starting in 2025 the Iowa Lakes Corridor awarded two $6,000 grants to Taylor Krager and Callan Townsend. The grant winners are able to use the grant dollars for student loan debt repayment, mortgage payment reimbursement or childcare expense reimbursement over the next 4 years ($1,500 per year). See more about Callan and Taylor. 

In 2026, after another successful HGTI Golf Tournament fundraiser, we are proud to announce we will be awarding four grants to one individual in each of the four counties we serve.

To be Eligible You Must 

• Graduated from a high school within the Iowa Lakes Corridor region. 
• Moved to (or planning to move to) a city within the Iowa Lakes Corridor region in the time of January 1, 2024 to February 15, 2026.
• Have accepted an offer or work a full-time position in the Iowa Lakes Corridor region. 
• Have or will graduate from a two or four-year college, trade school, or technical program.
• Must have graduated college within the last five years.
• Proof of student loan debt, yearly rent expense or mortgage debt, or childcare expenses.

Applicants must complete and submit their own applications. 

Examples of Eligible Applicants

• Applicant graduated from Sioux Central Community School District. Went to the University of Northern Iowa for four years and graduated. Accepted a marketing job at a local business in Storm Lake and moved to Storm Lake.
• Applicant graduated from Estherville High School. Went to Des Moines Area Community College and graduated in two years. Lived in Des Moines for three years after graduating. Recently accepted a job offer back in Estherville and is moving back to the city. 

For any questions regarding eligibility or the application process, please contact Trevor Smith. 

Narrative Upload:

Please answer the following questions using 1-3 short paragraphs per question (please include a separate typed document with your responses):

1. How did your hometown shape you?
2. What is drawing you back to live in the region? What are some ways we could recruit others back to the region?
3. How do you envision yourself impacting and being involved in the community?
4. What in your hometown had the biggest impact in your life?
5. If you were asked to create a “wish list” for our region, what might be included on that list? Please share a few of your visions for what could be improved or added to enhance or benefit the community.

Along with completed application, please include the following:

1. Resume
2. Proof of employment (Either of the following)
   1. Employment verification letter from employer including employer's name, applicant's position, start date, and employment status (e.g. Full time, Permanent) OR
   2. Copy of signed offer letter, including employer's name, start date, job title & description, and applicant's acceptance signature.
3. Unofficial transcript (if awarded a grant, a copy of an official final transcript or copy of diploma will be required).