Progressive group launches website showing 'Bidenomics' impact on RAGBRAI route, across Iowa

As RAGBRAI riders cycle their way across the state, a progressive group has launched a new website highlighting how the cities, counties and businesses along the route have benefitted from programs passed by the Biden administration.

The website, iowaatwork.com, has a dedicated page with a day-by-day breakdown of spending along the statewide cycling route. It tallies 918 projects worth $9.3 billion along the 500-mile route.

That includes projects like renovating a former residence hall into a science center at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City and funding airport improvements in Carroll.

In the first two years of his term, Biden has overseen trillions in spending nationwide through a series of landmark legislative wins including the American Rescue Plan Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Statewide, the site says 2,883 projects in Iowa have received a total of $11.8 billion. The website, launched by Progress Iowa, will be updated as new projects are announced.

The effort coincides with Biden's push to sell his economic agenda — dubbed "Bidenomics" — around the country. He's pointed to the nation's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, job creation, rising wages and investments in manufacturing and renewable energy.

Matt Sinovic, Progress Iowa's executive director, said the point of the project is to drive home for Iowans how Biden's policies affect their day-to-day lives.

"You’re driving to work on roads that are supported by the Biden administration, you’re dropping your kids off potentially at a child care facility or day care center that’s been supported by the Biden administration," Sinovic said.

While the overall numbers are large, Sinovic said it helps when Iowans can zoom in on their county and see the projects that have been funded locally.

"It’s just an effort to remind people, or let them know for the first time, perhaps, what this means in their day-to-day life," he added. "Because it is easy to get lost in the large numbers."

House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, said highlighting investments along the RAGBRAI route shows the statewide impact of Biden's policies.

"You can pick any community — and RAGBRAI represents small communities, tiny towns, big cities and everywhere in between — and there is work being done by the Biden administration to help communities of all sizes, all types," Konfrst said.

Republicans have repeatedly criticized Biden's policies, arguing they have added to inflation and left families worse off. However, some, like Gov. Kim Reynolds, have later touted some of the funding for uses like expanding broadband internet, improving water quality and spurring economic development.

While the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act passed on party line votes, the infrastructure law was bipartisan and received a yes vote from U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley.

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: New website shows Biden administration's spending impact across Iowa