The state of Iowa has reopened its Child Care Business Incentive Grant, which helps businesses and employers cover the costs of infrastructure required to build child care centers, either on-site or in their community. The grant, first launched in 2022, will be funded with American Rescue Plan Act funds. According to a news release, the grant is being reopened for current awardees of the Child Care Business Incentive Grant 1.0 who have active projects. They will be eligible for additional funding to support their projects. The grant is also open to new applicants who were not previously awarded funds. The deadline for applying for a grant is 2 p.m. Dec. 23. “While we’ve made great progress in supporting our labor force coming out of the pandemic, challenges remain, and it’s important to recognize the connection between child care and a successful workforce,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said in the release. The grants are open to any Iowa business with a minimum of 75 full-time employees that are not in the business of providing child care. All grants are administered as a reimbursement only and require a 50/50 private match. Funds can be used to support the construction or expansion of child care and day care facilities for employees with the employer as the provider or in partnership with a local child care provider.