(Atlantic) Congressman Zach Nunn (IA-03) joined leaders from Iowa Western Community College, Cass County, and the City of Atlantic to announce $900,000 in federal funding to expand skilled trades training facilities in Atlantic and Clarinda.
Rep. Nunn secured the funding through the FY2026 Community Project Funding (CPF) process. In Clarinda, the project will modernize the college’s Mechanical Technology space to support welding, advanced manufacturing, and apprenticeship-based learning. In Atlantic, underutilized space will be transformed into a new lab dedicated to manufacturing, construction, electrical, and plumbing instruction.
Dr. Dan Kinney, President of Iowa Western Community College…
The investment will create new learning spaces for manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, construction, electrical, and plumbing programs.
One thing Dr. Kinney is especially excited about is that this fall, the college will launch a precision agriculture program for high school students to provide hands-on training. Students who complete the one-year program will gain an understanding of drones, pesticide licensure, and precision computer components used in combines and other agricultural equipment.
Atlantic Mayor Rob Clausen…
Congressman Nunn noted that the future of artificial intelligence does not get built without the hardworking folks in the community.
Nunn said, in addition, that he wanted to highlight that in the House they are moving forward with a rural housing bill so that communities in rural Iowa have the same access as big cities to build homes for first-time homebuyers. They are also leading two bills: the PARTNERS Act, which connects community colleges, high schools, and local employers to keep job training and skill development within the community, and the Train More Nurses Act, which highlights the need for more nurses.
You can listen to the full announcement below:
