ISED Ventures has received a two-year, $200,000 grant from Northwest Area Foundation that will be used to assist Latinos in rural counties of southeast Iowa to start or expand small businesses.

The Des Moines-based nonprofit’s mission is to create opportunities for low- and moderate-income Iowans to increase their income and achieve financial stability though business ownership.

ISED Executive Director Mike Tramontina said the funding will be used to expand Spanish-language coaching and classes for Latino businesses. The program will begin in Muscatine and surrounding counties, but Tramontina hopes to expand it to Central Iowa and eventually statewide.

For more information about the program, contact Amelia Lobo at (515) 283-0940 or email alobo@isediowa.org.