Reps. Miller-Meeks, Hinson announce over $12M in federal funding for Eastern Iowa

Eastern Iowa will receive more than $12 million in federal funding for public safety, housing development and infrastructure projects, Republican U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Ashley Hinson announced Friday.

In the 1st Congressional District, Muscatine, Knoxville and Oskaloosa will receive more than $3 million total in Community Project Funding, or a federal appropriations package including earmarks from congressional lawmakers with funding requests for projects in their districts.

Miller-Meeks, who represents the 1st District, said the funding is set to be signed by President Donald Trump in the coming days.

“Iowans send their tax dollars to Washington to be good stewards of them, and I’m committed to bringing those dollars back home to support priorities that improve lives, grow our economy, and strengthen our communities,” Miller‑Meeks said in a statement Friday. “I will continue working with both the House and Senate to ensure these funds are signed into law swiftly so local leaders can put them to work for the people of Southeast Iowa.”

Here is how the funding will be allocated:

$2 million for the Papoose Creek redundant force main in Muscatine: This will fund the construction of new force main segments to increase wastewater system capacity, reduce combined sewer overflows during heavy rain and provide backup infrastructure during maintenance or emergencies, according to Miller-Meeks' office.

$750,000 for the Veterans District sewer project in Knoxville: The funds will help build a sanitary lift station and storm and sewer lines to serve over 110 acres of future housing development at the former VA campus, now known as the Veterans District.

$500,000 for the SAFECity Initiative in Oskaloosa: Funding for this initiative will help provide technological upgrades for the Oskaloosa Police Department aimed at preventing crime and improving emergency response. It includes license plate recognition systems, new body-worn and in-car cameras, upgraded police facilities, school safety panic buttons, a real-time crime monitoring system and a search-and-rescue drone.

On Friday, Miller-Meeks met with Muscatine Mayor Brad Bark, who said the 5,000 feet of new wastewater system infrastructure is essential after a critical failure in a sanitary force main carrying a majority of the city’s wastewater led to a significant discharge into the Mississippi River in 2019.

The funding will cover $2 million of the $3.8 million project cost.

“This project boosts environmental safety, supports future city growth, and improves maintenance capabilities,” Bark said in a statement. “A special thank you goes to Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks for her tireless work in championing this project and pushing it across the finish line. Her dedication delivers real benefits not only to our residents but to the entire Mississippi River watershed and our shared environment.”

Ashley Hinson highlights 2nd District funding

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U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Marion, said the funding package includes more than $9.6 million for projects in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, which she represents, including investments in water infrastructure and law enforcement communications.

Among the earmarked Community Project Funding items are:

The bill also includes more than $4.4 million to upgrade radio and communications systems for law enforcement in Hardin and Howard counties, connecting local agencies to the Iowa Statewide Interoperability Communication System.

“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am focused on ensuring Iowans’ taxpayer dollars are protected by reducing wasteful spending and prioritizing investments in Iowa communities,” Hinson said in a statement.

More information about these projects is available at hinson.house.gov/fy26-community-project-funding.

Gazette Deputy Des Moines Bureau Chief Tom Barton contributed to this report.