Capitol Notebook: Applications open for Iowa’s new private school marketplace

DES MOINES — The state of Iowa is accepting applications from companies that wish to be vendors from which Iowa private school families would use state-funded financial assistance to purchase items like books, tutoring sessions and other state-approved educational expenses.

It is the latest element of the implementation of Iowa’s new state-funded private school financial assistance program, under which some Iowa families are eligible for $7,600 state-funded Educational Savings Accounts to use toward a private school education.

The ESAs must first be used on tuition. Any money left over can be used to pay for certain educational expenses.

Under the new program, all such purchases must be made through a marketplace operated by Odyssey, the third-party company hired by the state to operate the new program.

Vendors wishing to be considered for Iowa’s ESA marketplace can access an online application at the website for the state program, which is called Students First, at educateiowa.gov.

Odyssey is being paid by the state $4.3 million over the first six years to operate the new program. The company will not receive a percentage of purchases made in the ESA marketplace, the governor’s office said.

The new program is projected to cost the state $107 million in the first year and $345 million annually at full implementation.

Early interest in the program was strong: more than 15,500 applications were submitted in the first 10 days, according to the state. The application period closes June 30.

Iowa Gov. Reynolds completes first leg of trade trip

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has completed the first portion of her overseas trade trip, which was in Italy. Reynolds now travels to Kosovo, her office said in a news release.

According to her office, while in Italy, Reynolds met with a United Nations official to discuss global food security and how Iowa can contribute; with Italy Minister of Enterprises Adolfo Urso to discuss future trade opportunities; and with Veneto Region Vice President Elisa De Berti to renew a Sister State Agreement between Iowa and Veneto.

Reynolds also met with officials with the Ferrero Group, the new owner of Wells Enterprises in Le Mars; SPAL Automotive, which has a sales and distribution center in Ankeny; and Maschio Gaspardo, an agricultural manufacturer with a branch in DeWitt, her office said.

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau