Riverboat Development Authority Supports Career and College Readiness

DAVENPORT, IOWA (August 1, 2015) — The Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) is pleased to announce it has received a community grant from the Riverboat Development Authority to support college and career readiness programming as part of its Scott County Career and College Access Initiative.

The Riverboat Development Authority (RDA) is the sponsoring organization for the Rhythm City Casino in Davenport and provides grants to community organizations within Scott County.

In its first year, the Scott County Career and College Access Initiative will bring college planning and financial aid information and resources into the Scott County communities to inform high school students and parents of the steps required to achieve their educational goals. With services provided through ICAN, the initiative will serve more than 8,400 individuals including: students, parents, and educators through a partnership with the high schools in Scott County including Assumption High School, Bettendorf High School, Central High School, North High School, North Scott Senior High School, Pleasant Valley High School, Rivermont Collegiate, and West High School.

“ICAN programs are unique in the respect that they are brought into individual communities and provide face-to-face presentations and one-on-one advice to students in the communities in which they reside,” explained Rob Miller, ICAN executive director. “This grant enables that interaction to happen without requiring families to travel long distances for professional advice. For some families traveling for assistance isn’t possible and the Riverboat Development Authority grant allows ICAN to continue serving these families where they live.”

In an effort to empower students with the understanding that higher education is accessible to everyone, the Scott County Initiative is part of a wider effort by ICAN to reach every middle- and high school and every student in Iowa to better prepare students for college and the workforce. According to Complete College America, more than 60 percent of Iowa jobs will require a college education by 2020.

“Education and training beyond high school is necessity for long-term success in the ever-changing job market,” explained Miller. “This grant enables ICAN to continue meeting the needs of Iowa students.”

ICAN, a nonprofit organization providing career and college readiness planning to students and parents in Iowa, has been educating and empowering Iowa’s future workforce since 1998.

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About ICAN
The Iowa College Access Network is a nonprofit, educational organization. ICAN is the College Access Network for Iowa, and a member of the National College Access Network (NCAN). ICAN has eight locations in Ankeny, Cedar Rapids/Hiawatha, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Orange City, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Waterloo, which provide information and support to students and their families as they plan their postsecondary education and apply for financial aid. All ICAN programs and services are provided without charge. For more information about ICAN, call (877) 272-4692 or visit www.ICANsucceed.org

About the Riverboat Development Authority
The Riverboat Development Authority (RDA) was founded in 1989 for the purpose of becoming the qualified sponsoring organization for a riverboat casino in Davenport, Iowa. Iowa law requires that the gambling license be held by a non-profit organization.

In 1991 RDA received a gambling license in partnership with the President Riverboat Casino, which operated in Davenport until October of 2000. At that time, the casino was sold and is currently operating as the Rhythm City Casino. RDA approved the use of their license and the Rhythm City and RDA received a license from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission at that time.

RDA has 15 volunteers from all parts of Scott County and a full time Executive Officer, the President, Randall B Rathje. The RDA operates somewhat the same as a community foundation, with the exception that it has a single income source – the Rhythm City Casino. Grants are made from current income and the amount of money available for grants is tied to the casino gaming receipts.