Tucked inside an economic development bill that probably contains many good things is a provision that would severely inhibit and maybe even end an effective job training program.

The measure would make a change in the way an employee training program commonly called 260E is paid for. That number and letter combination refers to the exact section in Iowa law where the program is described and authorized.

The 260E program enables community colleges to provide training for companies that are adding 50 or more employees.

Locally, Nestle Purina PetCare, Cargill and CJ Bio America have all used the program in conjunction with Iowa Central Community College and the results have been overwhelmingly successful.

To pay for the program, the increased income tax revenue the state government is likely to receive from the new employees is estimated. That estimate is then used to support the borrowing of money via a bond issue to be paid off over 10 years.

A provision in the bill would eliminate that funding mechanism. It would require businesses to pay for the training up front and get reimbursed later.

That provision could be a deal-breaker. There are a lot of businesses out there that could make good use of the training, but can’t afford to write a big check for it up front.

The result may be that those companies go elsewhere instead of growing in Iowa. Our state would then lose out on good jobs filled by people who would be key members of their communities. Other businesses that would benefit from the spending of those employees would also lose out. There would also be lost revenue for state and local governments.

Anyone who supports the proposal could argue that it just changes the way the program is paid for. Strictly speaking, they would be correct. But common sense suggests the change would be so drastic it would finish off a successful program.

The program called 260E has been around a long time. It has proven to be successful. There are business and community college leaders throughout the state who could testify to its effectiveness.

We urge the Iowa legislature to drop this proposed change to an initiative that is proven to work.