The New Era - All about Sweet Home since 1929

Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker on Tuesday, April 18, unanimously approved the annual Youth Wage Grant program for its 17th year.

The county uses economic development funds generated by the Video Lottery to subsidize $2 per hour of wages for first-time teen employees. The successful program has employed dozens of teenagers each summer. Last year, 73 youth took jobs in fields from local restaurants to farming.

To qualify, businesses must hire eligible employees, who must be Linn County residents and eligible to work legally in the United States, b...