Eastern Iowa funding: Miller-Meeks and Hinson announce over $12 million

Republican U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller‑Meeks and Ashley Hinson announced more than $12 million in federal funding for public safety, housing and infrastructure in Eastern Iowa, including roughly $3 million in Community Project Funding for Muscatine, Knoxville and Oskaloosa.

Eastern Iowa will receive more than $12 million in federal funds for public safety, housing development and infrastructure, Republican U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller‑Meeks and Ashley Hinson announced. The package includes Community Project Funding earmarks for towns in the 1st Congressional District and broader investments in the 2nd District. Officials said the funds will support wastewater upgrades, housing-related sewer work and communications and technology for law enforcement. Miller‑Meeks said the funding is set to be signed by President Donald Trump in the coming days. Funding details: - $2 million for the Papoose Creek redundant force main in Muscatine to fund new force main segments to increase wastewater capacity, reduce combined sewer overflows and provide backup infrastructure during maintenance or emergencies, reported Miller‑Meeks' office. - $750,000 for the Veterans District sewer project in Knoxville to build a sanitary lift station and storm and sewer lines to serve over 110 acres of future housing development at the former VA campus. - $500,000 for the SAFECity Initiative in Oskaloosa to support technological upgrades for the police department, including license plate recognition, new body-worn and in-car cameras, upgraded facilities, school safety panic buttons, a real-time crime monitoring system and a search-and-rescue drone. - More than $9.6 million of the package is designated for projects in Iowa's 2nd Congressional District, including investments in water infrastructure and law enforcement communications, according to Rep. Ashley Hinson. - The bill 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. - Miller‑Meeks met with Muscatine Mayor Brad Bark, who said the $2 million will cover part of the $3.8 million cost for the Muscatine wastewater project following a 2019 sanitary force main failure. Summary: The funding is intended to strengthen wastewater systems, support new housing development and improve public safety communications across affected communities. Local officials said the projects will address past infrastructure failures and expand emergency response and monitoring capabilities. Miller‑Meeks said the funds are expected to be signed by President Donald Trump in the coming days.