White Pole Road is the hardest-working road in Guthrie County. It carries grain to the elevator, ethanol from the plant, kids to school, and first responders when every minute matters. But after years of heavy traffic and tight county budgets, the road has reached a breaking point.
What’s new: We secured $500,000 in federal funding to rebuild an 11.5-mile stretch of White Pole Road — repairing deteriorating pavement, fixing dangerous curves, widening shoulders, and closing sidewalk gaps through Stuart so kids and families can get around safely. ⬇️
Why it matters: I grew up on my family’s farm, so I know what a failing road costs a rural community. Out here, roads aren’t just asphalt — they’re the connection between a farmer and the market, a business and its customers, and a family and the opportunities that keep them rooted close to home. When those roads fall apart, investment slows and communities are left behind.
The big picture: White Pole Road wasn’t always Guthrie County’s responsibility. It once served as a state highway, but when the county took ownership, it inherited the costs of maintaining a corridor built to handle heavy freight traffic. Local budgets simply weren’t designed to shoulder that burden alone.
That’s exactly where Community Project Funding can make a difference. With more than $10 million in local and regional support already behind it, our $500,000 investment helps move a long-awaited project across the finish line and delivers a safer, stronger roadway for generations to come.
Bottom Line: When the state hands a highway to a county, a small town like Stuart shouldn’t have to go at it alone. I’ll keep fighting to deliver the resources rural Iowa needs to keep its roads safe, its economy growing, and its next generation building their future right here at home.