The Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments is an association of local governments that is committed to identifying, securing, and coordinating local, regional, and federal government projects and programs for the enhancement of our region and member communities.

Now Live: Sign to Support Iowa Rejoining the MIPRC!

For the past year, INRCOG has been collaborating with key stakeholders to gather information and support to expand passenger rail efforts in Iowa. Following an Expression of Interest to the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) to conduct a feasibility study for a potential rail corridor project, INRCOG is now seeking signatures for a Letter of Support.

This Letter of Support will be sent to Iowa legislators to urge the State of Iowa to rejoin as a member of the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission (MIPRC). The MIPRC joins leaders from across the region to advocate for passenger rail improvements. The State of Iowa used to be a member of the MIPRC but left in recent years. By rejoining, Iowa will have the opportunity to partake in the economic and social benefits of a potential multistate passenger rail system.

To view and consider signing the Letter of Support, visit Iowa Passenger Rail Expansion – Letter of Support | Cognito Forms

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Passenger Rail

Black Hawk County MPO has been working to expand passenger rail efforts in Iowa. Currently, the State of Iowa has no involvement or funding dedicated towards passenger rail.

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Action Taken

Below is a list of actions the Black Hawk County MPO has taken to support these efforts:

• Attended the Iowa DOT’s Passenger Rail Advisory Committee meeting (PRAC) in Spring 2023.
• Met and collaborated with Dan Bilka, the Co-Founder and President of All Aboard Northwest and Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Coalition to discuss passenger rail efforts.
• Submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) to express support for a feasibility study for a potential rail corridor project.

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Next Steps

With the support of the MPO Policy Board, INRCOG will be sending a Letter of Support to Iowa’s legislators to encourage the state of Iowa to rejoin as a member of the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission (MIPRC).

The MIPRC brings leaders from across the region on a bipartisan basis to advocate for passenger rail improvements. Midwest states that are currently members of the MIPRC include Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. By rejoining, the State of Iowa will have the opportunity to partake in the economic and social benefits of a potential multistate passenger rail system.

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Read about our conversation with the Courier and KCRG News regarding Passenger Rail efforts below!