Sioux Center — Sioux Center will be the beneficiary of a $2.25-million “federal funding advance” from the State of Iowa for the Lewis & Clark water project. The funds were contained in the FY2018 Infrastructure Budget which Governor Terry Branstad signed into law on Friday.
The bill also commits $4.75-million for the FY19 Infrastructure Budget, which means the Legislature does not need to take action next year to add the funding. Instead, action would need to be taken by the Legislature to remove the Lewis & Clark funding, which is not expected
The $2.25 million will be used to complete the design and secure the easements for the 19-mile segment of pipeline between the South Dakota side of the Big Sioux River and Sioux Center, as well as the Sioux Center meter building. Assuming there are no surprises during the next legislative session, the $4.75-million will be used to construct the short crossing underneath the Big Sioux River between Beresford and Sioux Center, as well as a few miles of 24 inch pipe starting at Sioux Center and heading west.
Lewis & Clark Executive Director Troy Larson noted the development taking place around Sioux Center in the area of the planned pipeline route as a reason to get that pipe into the ground sooner, rather than later.
“Federal funding advance” is the term used to describe the zero-interest unsecured loans provided by Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota to speed progress of construction for the Lewis & Clark water project. The loans will be paid back with future federal funding.
