POLK COUNTY, IOWA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced businesses in Allamakee, Hamilton, Washington and Winneshiek counties will receive a total of over $5 million in new financing through the ReConnect Loan and Grant Program to expand internet access. The investment comes from the bipartisan infrastructure law that Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) supported last year. The critical infrastructure funding from this legislation is now benefiting and improving communities across Iowa, with this latest announcement providing a boost for much-needed internet improvement projects that will benefit businesses, families, farms and educational facilities.
 
“Iowans in every corner of the state need reliable internet access in today’s economy for work, school and telehealth appointments. While we’ve made great progress in expanding internet access in rural Iowa, there’s more work to do. It’s one of the many reasons I supported the bipartisan infrastructure law. I’m glad this bill is helping expand and improve internet access for Iowans, and I’ll continue doing my part to ensure more of Iowans’ hard-earned tax dollars come back to our state,” Grassley said.
 
The bipartisan infrastructure law guaranteed an overall total of $65 billion for broadband services, with a particular focus on unserved and underserved communities – including Iowa. This latest announcement awards a nearly $3.8 million loan to implement a new fiber-to-the-premises network that will connect 2,827 people, 77 businesses, five farms and three educational facilities to high-speed internet in Hamilton County. Additionally, a loan of $881,072 and a grant of $881,072 has been awarded in Washington County to implement a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect 463 people, 59 farms and 11 businesses to high-speed internet. Another loan and grant totaling over $11 million will improve internet access for families, farms and businesses in Allamakee and Winneshiek counties.

Funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law has already been approved for many other projects across the state. Earlier this month, the Federal Highway Administration announced Iowa City will receive a $300,000 grant for highway and bridge improvements. In August, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced nearly $25 million in overall grant funding for the cities of Dubuque, Muscatine and Waterloo to help complete roadway, bridge and other related projects. In July, USDOT announced five airports in Iowa will receive $27 million in overall grant funding under the fiscal year 2022 Airport Terminal Program, which was created by the bipartisan infrastructure law.
 
Earlier this year, the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System – which is responsible for providing rural water to northwest Iowa communities like Rock Rapids, Hull and Sioux Center – received $75.5 million from the infrastructure bill. Project leaders plan to use this investment to finish 17 miles of pipeline, construct two meter buildings and build a new pump station. On the other side of the state, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced an $829.1 million investment in lock and dam modernization projects along the upper Mississippi River – one of Iowa’s top five infrastructure improvement priorities.
 
Additionally, with funding from the bipartisan infrastructure bill, the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) has updated its five-year plan to include many other road and bridge improvement projects. These are only a few examples of many similar projects across Iowa that now have much-needed funding to finish the job due to the bipartisan infrastructure law.
 

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