U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $7.7 Million for Flood Protection Infrastructure in Dubuque, Iowa

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $7.7 million grant to the city of Dubuque, Iowa, to make flood prevention infrastructure improvements needed to protect businesses from future flooding.

This grant will expand and replace existing flood gates and pumps to reduce the impacts of heavy rainfall and flooding in the community. This EDA investment, to be matched with $19 million in state and local funds, is expected to create 150 jobs and generate $16.5 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is providing communities in Iowa and across the country with the resources they need to grow their local economies following flooding and other natural disasters,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will protect the city of Dubuque from future flooding, supporting business growth and the creation of new jobs in the community.”

“The Economic Development Administration works closely with communities to support locally driven disaster recovery and resiliency,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “After historic and persistent flooding in Dubuque, this investment will safeguard local businesses during heavy rains, supporting a strong, resilient regional economy.”

“Iowans are no strangers to natural disasters, and Dubuque has been proactively working hard to strengthen flood prevention throughout the city. This disaster grant will help make additional progress to protect neighborhoods and businesses and promote economic development throughout the community,” said Senator Chuck Grassley.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA). EDA funds ECIA to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

This project is funded under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (PL 115-123) (PDF), in which Congress appropriated to EDA $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery as a result of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, wildfires, and other calendar year 2017 natural disasters under the Stafford Act.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.