DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A new study shows the I-JOBS economic stimulus plan pushed by Gov. Chet Culver has created more than 7,000 jobs.
The study, released Wednesday, was done by the Iowa Department of Management. It shows the state has spent more than $705 million dollars through the program on 1,700 projects.
I-JOBS was approved by the Legislature after the record flooding of 2008. It called for the state to borrow more than $800 million for flood recovery and infrastructure improvements.
Culver says the number of jobs could top 23,000 during the next two years.
Former Republican Gov. Terry Branstad is challenging Culver this fall and his campaign criticized the report, saying the jobs are short-term and not the long-term sustainable jobs Iowans want.
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