DAKOTA CITY - There's been a lot of misinformation about the $830 million I-JOBS initiative, but it means nothing but good things for Humboldt County, according to Lt. Gov. Patty Judge.

Judge stopped by the Humboldt County Courthouse Monday afternoon, the last of five stops including Panora, Jefferson, Rockwell City and Pocahontas, as part of her Moving Iowa Forward tour.

Judge touted the benefits of several Culver initiatives, including the infrastructure investment program I-JOBS which will grant Humboldt County $190,594 for a new Emergency Operations Center.

"Without any reservations (this EOC) is critically important to your community," said Judge, "We need to get you equipped."

The grant will have a double impact, said Judge. Not only will the county have a new EOC, but the construction of the building will employ a number of part-time workers.

"There's been some question in some people's minds whether that's worthwhile, part-time construction jobs that is, and the simple answer is 'Yes it is,'" said Judge. "If you don't have a job, if you can't go to the grocery store and you can get a job working construction next summer, that will be a relief for the breadwinners of the families and it's going to be money rolling around in the community."

The new building project will begin on April 1, according to Pat Colwell, Humboldt County emergency management coordinator.

Humboldt County will also receive around $230,000 for road maintenance, said Judge.

The lieutenant governor also spoke on a variety of other topics, from preschools to prisons to the Iowa Power Fund and how they will benefit from the state programs.

One of the top priorities for their administration is to give every 4-year-old the opportunity to attend preschool, said Judge.

"All the research and all the thinking today shows that this really pays dividends," she said.

All of these programs will have an impact on the state and help prepare Iowans for the future, according to Judge.

Contact Ian Schmit at (515) 573-2141 or ischmit@messengernews.net