| Study: I-JOBS stimulus created 7,000 new jobs | DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An economic stimulus plan pushed by Gov. Chet Culver has created more than 7,000 new jobs since the program began, according to a study released Wednesday.
The plan, dubbed I-JOBS, called for the state to borrow more than $800 million for flood recovery and infrastructure repair. It was approved by the Legislature after record flooding and has funded nearly 1,700 projects, the report showed.
‘‘All of that has been done without raising taxes and at the least possible long-term costs,’’ the report said.
Culver called the report evidence the plan has pulled the state back from the brink of recession, but critics argue it’s evidence of a costly failure that provided only short-term work.
The study, issued by the Iowa Department of Management, shows the state has spent more than $705.3 million, with about half going toward flood recovery programs. It also has attracted another $610.5 million in federal, local and private investments, the report said.
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