Cyclists taking part in this year’s RAGBRAI will be able to see impacts of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan
Cyclists will be hitting the trails starting this weekend on the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. As they travel across the state, they will be able to see several of the ways funds from the American Rescue Plan have already positively impacted our state.
“The American Rescue Plan Act is one of the largest infusions of federal funds directly into small towns and communities in U.S. history,” said Julie Zaugg, a resident of Palo Alto County. “Our tax dollars are coming back to our communities and spent under local control. There is no denying it is working for rural Iowans.”
Last March, President Biden signed ARPA into law. This program has delivered over $1 billion of federal funds to Iowa’s small towns and rural communities These funds brought life-changing programs to our state, including a $210 million investment in rural broadband, $100 million investment in housing infrastructure and $100 million investment in improving water quality. Communities also received funds directly and were able to determine how to best use that money.
“It’s easy to see that President Biden is delivering for Iowans,” said Matt Sinovic, Executive Director of Progress Iowa. “Whether it’s expansions to rural broadband or improvements to Iowa’s airports, projects funded by the American Rescue Plan are popping up all over the state and making a difference in the lives of Iowa’s working families.”
Iowa Congresswoman Cindy Axne was the only member of Iowa’s Congressional delegation to vote in support of ARPA. Reps. Feenstra, Hinson and Miller-Meeks, along with Senators Ernst and Grassley voted against the legislation. While she has consistently taken credit for ARPA funds, Gov. Reynolds campaigned against this bill, calling it a ‘blue state bailout.’
Progress Iowa will be highlighting each RAGBRAI host town and the impact it has seen from the American Rescue Plan on social media throughout next week. You can follow along on Progress Iowa’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Sergeant Bluff
- The Siouxland Regional Trail system was awarded $7 million for trail projects and to connect Sioux City, Le Mars, Hinton, Merrill and Sergeant Bluff. (Source: KCAU 9 TV)
- Bluffs Little Thinkers in Sergeant Bluff also received funds to help update classrooms and a playground, as well as add ten more spots. (Source: Iowa DHS)
Ida Grove
- Ida County received nearly $6.7 million through the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program for broadband expansion. (Source: State of Iowa)
Pocahontas
- The Rialto Theatre in Pocahontas received $2,500 in Arts Grants meant to reinvigorate arts and culture in Iowa communities. (Source: Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs)
- The city of Pocahontas was awarded more than $278,000 for airport improvements. (Source: USASpending.gov)
- Six local businesses in Pocahontas received grants totaling more than $137,000. (Source: USASpending.gov)
Emmetsburg
- The city of Emmetsburg received a $300,000 Downtown Housing Grant to create new housing opportunities. (Source: KCAU)
- The city of Emmetsburg was awarded $552,000 for a new wastewater treatment facility. (Source: Emmetsburg Reporter Democrat)
Mason City
- The Mason City Public Library received $5,000 to help purchase e-books and e-audio books in response to the pandemic. (Source: KIMT)
- The city was also awarded more than $2.5 million through the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program for broadband expansion. (Source: State of Iowa)
- Metalcraft Inc. in Mason City was given nearly $350,000 from the Manufacturing 4.0 Workforce Innovation Grant Program. (Source: Iowa Manufacturing 4.0)
- Nana’s Daycare in Mason City received funds for its outdoor play area and to add four more spots. (Source: Iowa DHS)
- Shawn Bohl in Mason City received funds to meet health and standards issues in the outdoor play area. (Source: Iowa DHS)
- Sunbeam Christian Child Care & Preschool in Mason City received funds for updates to the fire alarm system. (Source: Iowa DHS)
- The YMCA in Mason City received funds to update the security entrance and expand the youth room, as well as to repair two fifteen passenger vans, and heating/cooling pipes throughout the building. (Source: Iowa DHS)
- Mason City received $48,000 in Arts Grants meant to reinvigorate arts and culture in Iowa communities. (Source: Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs)
- North Iowa Community Action Organization in Mason City was awarded more than $360,000 for Head Start Programs to promote school readiness. (Source: USASpending.gov)
Charles City
- Floyd County allocated $14,000 to the Charles City Courthouse for new courthouse cameras and new door access readers. (Source: KCHA)
- Floyd County received over $3 million in funds that will be used on items to complete the law enforcement center and courthouse update project. (Source: Charles City Press)
West Union
- Fayette County received more than $2.5 million in funding through the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program for broadband expansion. (Source: State of Iowa)
- The city of West Union received $22,000 for airport improvements. (Source: USASpending.gov)
- Two local businesses in West Union were awarded a total of more than $50,000 through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. (Source: USASpending.gov)
Lansing
- Allamakee County received more than $3 million in funding through the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program for broadband expansion. (Source: State of Iowa)
- Two local businesses in Lansing were awarded a total of more than $79,000 through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. (Source: USASpending.gov)
