U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) on Oct. 8 attended the groundbreaking in her home state for the Cedar Rapids flood control project, a top-line priority for which she helped secure $117 million in federal funding.
“After years of hard work and collaboration from city leaders, the local business community, the state, and our Iowa congressional delegation, we’re celebrating the resilience of the Cedar Rapids community and the beginning of permanent flood protection for this great city,” said Sen. Ernst.
As a former member of the Iowa National Guard, she helped respond to the flood disaster that hit the Cedar Rapids community more than 10 years ago, causing roughly $5.4 billion in damages.
“I vividly remember firsthand the terrible devastation this community experienced in 2008,” Sen. Ernst said. “When I first entered the U.S. Senate, I made securing federal resources for this project one of my top priorities.”
Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart said during the groundbreaking event that the community is “incredibly grateful” for the senator’s efforts to secure the project’s federal funds.
“The years of hard work and perseverance paid off,” said Hart.
Sen. Ernst’s effort to secure the project’s funds started in 2016, culminating in a June 2018 funding announcement by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.