Capitol Letters: FY 2027 Infrastructure budget makes major investments into Iowa communities

Investing in Iowa’s infrastructure through the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund is always a sign that a legislative session is coming to an end. That was the case as the 2026 session concluded on May 2, with the state committing $267.5 million towards new and ongoing building projects across the state.

Three major commitments are the highlights of Senate File 2484. Leading this is the investment of $10 million into the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Strategic Infrastructure Program. This funding helps match a grant from the federal Department of War to Iowa State University Research Park to construct a facility at the Park’s BioCentury Research Farm in Boone. This will house large fermenters to be used for research and create new substances made with Iowa-grown products. The $40 million project has the potential to create new uses for Iowa crops necessary for the defense of the nation and possibly create new industries in the state.

Improving public safety is another priority for Senate File 2484 with the creation of the Railroad Overpass and Underpass grant fund. In several Iowa communities, railroad tracks bisect towns which can lead to parts of a community being isolated from emergency services when a train is passing through or stopped. This program, created in the Department of Transportation, helps communities build new passageways for this critical service to be able to reach those in need. The bill is providing $5 million a year for the next five years for this effort.

Iowa’s strong commitment to protecting the nation is shown with the third major project funded in the bill. Iowa’s lone flying Air National Guard Unit, the 185th Refueling Wing based in Sioux City, is limited by the length and condition of the Sioux City Airport’s runway. Federal funding to renovate the runway is being sought this year in Congress. But the project will require local funding as well, and the RIIF bill provides a $10 million appropriation to show Iowa’s commitment to maintaining the state’s role in defending America.

The RIIF bill provides funding for several building projects around the state. The University of Northern Iowa gets $6 million for its Commons renovation project, which will house the university’s civics education program. Repairing the roof on the Iowa School for the Deaf’s Giangreco Hall receives a two-year, $8 million appropriation. To help complete the renovation of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, the state will contribute $1 million to finish the project.

The state is committing funding to support the construction of a new facility for young adults with significant intellectual and physical disabilities at On With Life’s Polk City facility. On With Life has served as the state’s de facto brain injury treatment facility, and this new facility will serve those Iowans who need 24-hour care for their needs. And the infrastructure bill provides $7 million for facility improvements at the Newton Speedway.

The RIIF budget also provides funding for two major public safety projects. The Iowa Law Enforcement Academy receives $3.7 million next year to build a firing range dedicated to ILEA’s use. Currently, cadets’ time on the firing line is determined by when the National Guard is not using the current firing range. By building its own facility, ILEA will be able to go to the range when it fits their schedule. This is the second project in as many years where the state has invested significant infrastructure funding to upgrade the state’s main law enforcement training facility.

Also included in the infrastructure spending plan is the final year of funding for the expansion of the State Medical Examiner’s office. This three-year, $36 million project will increase the facility’s capacity to perform autopsies and other examinations while also putting the State Medical Examiner in a position to start offering training to prospective pathologists.

As has been the case over the past few years, the RIIF bill provides a sizeable investment to improve state parks and trails. Once again, the Department of Natural Resources is receiving $5 million for state park maintenance and $1.5 million for water trails and low head dams. The Department of Transportation is also receiving $2.5 million for its Recreational Trails program.

In the Transportation field, the RIIF bill provides additional funding to Iowa’s airports. Both the Commercial Air Service Vertical Infrastructure program and the General Aviation Vertical Infrastructure programs received increases in funding for Fiscal Year 2027. The bill also increased funding for rapid transit programs, with $1.6 million dedicated to matching federal grants received in the past year.

Funding for local improvement projects will again be provided through a variety of programs. The very popular Community Attractions and Tourism program will again receive $10 million spread out across the state for local infrastructure projects. And the Destination Iowa Fund, which provides state resources for larger projects, also gets $10 million for Fiscal Year 2027. Funding for Regional Sports Authorities is increased to $1 million. And the Department of Natural Resources gets a new $1 million appropriation to help smaller communities remove derelict buildings.

Overall, the FY 2027 RIIF budget will put $267.5 million out to help improve Iowa communities and state facilities.

Contact Rep. Megan Jones by email: megan.jones@legis.iowa.gov