Gov. Kim Reynolds announced new grant awards to help expand the number of Iowa youth participating in internships this summer. Five employers are being awarded a total of $254,000 in grants to help support over 100 youth participating in internships. Projects that provide opportunities for Iowa youth who face barriers to upward mobility in the labor market were prioritized during the review process. Grant funds can be used for participant wages, compensation after program completion, training resources, program supplies and materials, and administrative costs. “Any time that Iowa employers are able to sponsor meaningful programs that provide on-the-job experience, a positive outcome usually follows that benefits our workforce,” Beth Townsend, executive director of Iowa Workforce Development, said in a prepared statement. “I’m excited to help give a boost to these projects, which will help employers have extra talent this summer and help our youth see firsthand the great opportunities that await them across Iowa.”