Finkenauer Announces $2.3 Million Grant for Critical Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) on Wednesday announced a $2.3 million grant for critical stormwater infrastructure improvements in the City of Maquoketa.

The grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) will fund 75 percent of a $2.9 million stormwater pumping station construction project. The project will improve flood control in Maquoketa’s industrial and commercial areas, while creating seven new jobs and preserving 88 existing jobs.

"Infrastructure projects like this one strengthen our communities for the future — making them more resilient and economically competitive,” Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. “Flood control and water-resource projects like this create good-paying jobs for local workers, and are critical to making eastern Iowa a safe, comfortable place to live."

"This EDA funding for the city of Maquoketa will help provide public infrastructure improvements to better serve our private industry,” Jackson County Economic Alliance Director Nicolas Hockenberry said. “Programs like these help create strong public-private partnerships that are necessary to grow our communities and region. We appreciate Congresswoman Finkenauer’s ongoing support of these programs that assist our rural communities."

The project is meant to make Maquoketa more resilient against major flooding events like the one that occurred in 2019, in which heavy rain caused the Maquoketa River to rise to 17 feet, flooding streets, highways and commercial zones.

Finkenauer serves as Vice Chair of House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, and is Chairwoman of the Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade and Entrepreneurship (RATE) Subcommittee.