Press Release Archive
Monday, August 31, 2009
Governor Culver Announces $118.5 Million in I-Jobs Funds
for 58 Projects Statewide
WATERLOO – Fifty-eight initiatives in 33 counties around Iowa will receive I-JOBS funds to improve public buildings, rebuild after natural disasters and construct infrastructure projects to prevent future disasters, following approval today from the I-JOBS Board of Directors. The approved projects represent $118.5 million in grants, the entire amount the I-JOBS Board was charged with awarding.
“I-JOBS was designed to create good jobs for Iowans while improving Iowa’s aging public infrastructure,” Governor Culver said. “Today I’m happy to announce that another 58 communities will benefit from I-JOBS dollars through the Local Infrastructure Grant program. The impact of this program is quick and far-reaching. Almost immediately, projects will begin to rebuild public infrastructure in all parts of Iowa. But most importantly, I-JOBS funds will be used to get Iowans working again.”
The I-JOBS Board oversees the Local Infrastructure Program of the broader I-JOBS initiative. The Local Infrastructure Program includes $165 million for disaster recovery and prevention and local infrastructure. Of that, $118.5 million was available on a competitive basis. Applications for the competitive funds were due August 3. The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) administers the Local Infrastructure Program and received 136 applications representing more than $333 million in requests.
In addition to approving 58 projects for funding, the I-JOBS Board also voted to defer 35 projects totaling nearly $91 million. These projects will be eligible for funding if a second funding round is available. The remaining applicants did not receive the minimum points necessary to be considered for funding or did not meet minimum threshold requirements.
Also at today’s meeting the I-JOBS Board approved two applications from the noncompetitive portion of the Local Infrastructure Program. The communities of Charles City and Palo will each receive a $500,000 grant to help rebuild fire stations that were badly damaged during last year’s floods.
The Culver/Judge I-JOBS program will invest a total of $830 million over the next two years to create and retain jobs, strengthen the economy, recover from last year’s natural disasters, and improve Iowa’s infrastructure. The funds will be used to upgrade Iowa’s roads and bridges, invest in renewable energy projects, improve water quality, and upgrade public facilities such as the Iowa Veterans Home. I-JOBS is funded with existing gaming revenue, meaning no increase in taxes.
View the list of projects the I-JOBS Board acted upon today.