Homegrown Talent Initiative

The Corridor's Homegrown Talent Initiative is a new program to encourage recent college graduates that grew up within the region to consider coming back, making the Corridor region their home and filling the high-quality jobs available at local businesses.

Golf Tournament Fundraiser

The Iowa Lakes Corridor will be hosting the 2nd Annual Homegrown Talent Initiative Golf Tournament on August 1, 2025, at the Emerald Hills Golf Course as a fundraiser for the program. Proceeds from the tournament will support grants of $6,000 ($1,500 per year over four years) to college graduates who were originally from the four-county region of Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, and Emmet returning to the area to work at a local employer. Grant Funds can be used as student loan repayment, mortgage payment, or childcare expense reimbursement. The first round of grants will be awarded in the Spring of 2025.

Meet the 2025 Awardees:

Callan Hinn was originally from Spirit Lake, left the area to pursue her degrees at Iowa Lakes Community College, the University of Northern Iowa, and then Allen College. She has moved back to rural Dickinson County and now works as a full-time RN/BSN and OR/Surgery Nurse at Spencer Hospital, and a PRN as an OR Nurse at Lakes Regional and Avera McKennan when needed.

“Returning to my hometown was one of the most rewarding choices I’ve made, and receiving this grant has made the experience even more impactful,” said Hinn. “I’m excited to stay in the region after having moved away, to be close to family and where I can continue growing both personally and professionally. This grant has helped ease the burden of student loans and given me the opportunity to put down roots and give back to the community that shaped me.”

Taylor Krager grew up in Peterson and recently moved to Lakeside after attending Buena Vista University where she graduated in May 2024. She currently serves as a Customer Experience Specialist at Farm Credit Services of America in Storm Lake.

“Thank you to the Iowa Lakes Corridor for this generous grant – I am truly grateful for the support!” shared Krager. “I’m excited to stay in the region and begin building my life and career close to home, surrounded by people and places that mean the most to me. I am very thankful for this opportunity and to be in such a wonderful community!”

Get involved:

There are many ways to support this program! Register a team for the golf tournament, sponsor a course hole or a meal, provide door prizes, etc. Register for the 2025 Golf Tournament today!

Contact the Corridor for more details!