Gov. Chet Culver announced that $118.5 million in I-JOBS funds will be distributed for 58 projects across 33 counties in Iowa, to help improve public buildings, rebuild after natural disasters and construct infrastructure projects.

“I-JOBS was designed to create good jobs for Iowans while improving Iowa’s aging public infrastructure,” Culver said in a press release.

The-I-JOBS board oversees the Local Infrastructure Program, which includes $165 million for disaster recovery and prevention, and local infrastructure. Of that total, $118.5 million was available on a competitive basis.

The Iowa Finance Authority, which administers the Local Infrastructure Program, received 136 requests totaling more than $333 million. The I-JOBS board deferred 35 projects totaling $91 million, which makes them eligible for funding if a second round of funding becomes available.

“The impact of this program is quick and far-reaching,” Culver said. “Almost immediately, projects will begin to rebuild public infrastructure in all parts of Iowa. But most importantly, I-JOBS funds will be used to get Iowans working again.”

The I-JOBS board also approved two $500,000 grants from the noncompetitive portion of the Local Infrastructure Program to help rebuild fire stations that were damaged during last year’s floods in Charles City and Palo.