Miller-Meeks Secures over $8 Million in Community Project Funding for Southeast Iowa
IOWA — In the 119th Congress alone, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) has successfully secured over $8 million in Community Project Funding for transformational projects in southeast Iowa, including major investments in childcare, rural health care, water infrastructure, law enforcement, and workforce development.
“These projects will strengthen our communities for decades to come,” said Miller-Meeks. “From expanding childcare in Newton, to restoring access to health care in Keokuk, to training the next generation of Iowa nurses at Jones Regional Medical Center, we are delivering results that will improve lives, grow our workforce, and support families across southeast Iowa. I am incredibly proud to have secured this funding, and I will continue fighting every single day to ensure rural Iowa gets the resources and respect it deserves.”
Project Details
This funding will expand the Newton YMCA to open 50 new childcare slots, helping address Jasper County’s severe childcare shortage. The expansion will also support youth programming, fitness access, and community wellness, strengthening economic growth and supporting working families.
Papoose Creek Redundant Force Main in Muscatine - $2 Million
This project will construct new force main segments to increase wastewater system capacity, reduce combined sewer overflows during heavy rain events, and provide backup infrastructure during maintenance or emergencies.
Jones Regional Medical Center (JRMC) – $2 Million
Funding will expand and modernize JRMC’s west wing to build a permanent 17,000 sq. ft. Advanced Simulation Lab, replacing the temporary trailers currently used for nursing education. This new state-of-the-art facility will allow JRMC’s nursing program to graduate 14 additional nurses per year and expand advanced training opportunities for other high-demand medical professions. The project will secure long-term workforce development and help meet Iowa’s growing need for healthcare providers.
Keokuk Area Hospital – $825,000
This investment will help restore critical health services to Lee County, which has not had an operational hospital since October 2022. Funding will support facility improvements that allow the Rural Emergency Hospital to offer outpatient specialty services in addition to emergency care, filling a dangerous gap in access and strengthening health outcomes for the entire region.
Veterans District Sewer Project in Knoxville - $750,000
Funding 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—expanding housing and revitalizing the area.
SAFECity Initiative in Oskaloosa - $500,000
Led by the Oskaloosa Police Department, this initiative brings advanced public safety technology to the community. It includes license plate recognition systems, new body and in-car cameras, upgraded police facilities, school safety panic buttons, a real-time crime monitoring system, and a search-and-rescue drone. The investment will help prevent crime, improve emergency response, and keep the community safe—all without local tax increases.
Community Support
"YMCA will be awarded a $2.79 million federal funding from the USDA, made possible through the support of Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks. To celebrate this milestone, she, along with Newton City Councilman Mark Hallam, visited us personally to share the wonderful news. This funding was included in the Senate package that passed the House last night and was signed into law by President Trump. We are thrilled about the positive impact this will have as we move forward with renovating our 50-year-old facility and addressing the childcare desert in Newton. Three years in the making, today’s visit from the Congressional office underscores their commitment to seeing this initiative through to completion. A huge congratulations to the Newton, Iowa community for this achievement and the positive impact it will have on our entire community. For 150 years, the Newton YMCA has been a beacon of hope and support for countless individuals and families. Through generous contributions over the years, we have made a meaningful impact—enabling children to thrive, families to connect, and seniors to lead healthier lives. Our YMCA serves as a safe haven for children, a valuable resource for families to maintain their health, and a community space where everyone can come together. We embrace this opportunity to make a lasting impact on our community. This grant will allow the YMCA to maintain and expand childcare programs that enrich lives and strengthen our community fabric. Together, we can ensure the Newton YMCA remains a place where everyone has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive!" - Newton YMCA
Dr. Jawad Shah, President & CEO of Insight Health Systems, said, “U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks has been a tremendous champion for reopening the Keokuk hospital. The announcement of the federal community project funding for the Insight Keokuk hospital is a turning point for the project. We’re deeply grateful to the Congresswoman for her steadfast commitment to rural health and the local community. Insight is honored to be part of addressing the regional gaps in healthcare and we look forward to moving the project forward to the next phase.”
"On behalf of everyone at UnityPoint Health - Jones Regional Medical Center and the communities we serve, I want to extend our sincere gratitude to Rep. Miller-Meeks and her staff for this Community Projects grant. This grant will have a profound positive impact on our ability to effectively recruit, train, and retain healthcare professionals, ensuring that quality care remains accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live." - Eric Briesemeister, President of UPH-Jones Regional Medical Center
"In 2019, our community faced a critical failure in the sanitary force main that carries the majority of Muscatine's downtown wastewater to the treatment facility, resulting in a significant discharge into the Mississippi River. This incident led to a consent decree from the Iowa DNR, requiring us to install a redundant line for enhanced reliability and environmental protection. The City immediately moved forward with planning for this vital redundant force main, which will add more than 5,000 feet of new infrastructure. This project boosts environmental safety, supports future city growth, and improves maintenance capabilities. With an estimated construction cost of $3.8 million, we are deeply grateful for the $2 million in federal funding secured through Congress. 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. Muscatine is stronger and more resilient because of leaders like Congresswoman Miller-Meeks—thank you for investing in our community's future!" - Mayor Brad Bark, Muscatine, Iowa
“The SAFECity Initiative represents a major step forward in how we protect and serve our community. These resources will strengthen school safety, improve our response to emergencies, and give officers better tools to prevent crime before it happens. We appreciate Congresswoman Miller-Meeks’ leadership in securing this investment for Oskaloosa and for recognizing the importance of proactive, technology-driven policing.” - Benjamin Boeke, Oskaloosa Chief of Police
###