Iowa Workforce office closes; access points open

RED OAK — After months of speculation, Red Oak’s Iowa Workforce office closed Aug. 31.

Services offered through the office located on South Broadway will now be available at regional offices in Creston and Council Bluffs, and at “virtual access points” throughout the community.

The virtual access points, located in the Montgomery County Courthouse, Red Oak Public Library, and Southwest Community College, include a computer terminal dedicated to the Iowa workforce website.

“The access point system provides Iowans with the opportunity to utilize workforce services in a convenient location close to home,” indicated Iowa Workforce Development director Teresa Wahlert.  “With over 135 access points, 16 regional centers and three satellite offices we have more than doubled our access for Iowans and we will continue adding locations throughout the year.”

Individuals can connect with a workforce professional at (866) 239-0843 or live chat at an access point.  The access is available from 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Saturdays. 

The Creston and Council Bluffs offices are open from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., on Fridays.

The offices can be contacted at 641-782-2119 (Creston) or 712-242-2100 (Council Bluffs).

In compliance with a directive from Gov. Terry Branstad, Wahlert announced her plans in February to close all non-regional offices in the state in a cost cutting measure.

The Iowa legislature reached a bipartisan agreement that would provide funding for the offices for one-year, but Branstad used a line-item veto to remove that funding.