I-JOBS is a great deal for investors & communities

The state I-JOBS program is one of the country’s top 10 best financing deals for 2009, according to Bond Buyer, the daily newspaper of public finance.

“This recognition is just one more example of how respected Iowa’s financial decisions are viewed across the country,” said State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald. “The work we do to secure good financing may not be exciting to most people, but it is vital to our economy and outlook. This shows that we are doing things right in Iowa.”

Last summer, $601 million in I-JOBS bonds were sold and are being used to fix roads and bridges, invest in renewable energy, improve water quality and upgrade public facilities. For more information on the award, visit the Bond Buyer’s web page www.sourcemediaconferences.com/BBDeal09/.

See how I-JOBS is helping local communities

Through a new online tool, you can find out exactly how state I-JOBS funds are being used to improve local communities.

Go to http://www.ijobsiowa.gov and click on “How I-JOBS Is Helping” in the lower right-hand corner. Information on each approved I-JOBS project includes the recipient, the name and location of the project, the dollar amount awarded, the total cost of the project and the expected completion date.

I-JOBS is an $830 million multi-year effort to strengthen Iowa’s economy, help our state recover from last year’s disasters, and preserve and create thousands of jobs. The program is paid for with existing state gaming revenue, meaning no increase in taxes.