(Stuart, IA) – Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn (IA-03), today (Thursday) joined state, county, and local leaders in Stuart to announce new federal funding secured to revitalize White Pole Road, a vital farm-to-market corridor connecting Iowa’s farmers, businesses, and families across Guthrie and Adair counties.
Rep. Nunn announced federal funding secured to rehabilitate an 11.5-mile stretch of White Pole Road, which is used to transport grain to the local elevator, kids to school, and ambulances to families experiencing an emergency. Nunn’s office says the project will address deteriorating pavement, improve safety along the corridor, and expand pedestrian access in Stuart — making the road safer for drivers, students, and emergency responders while strengthening a key farm-to-market route relied on by Iowa’s farmers and biofuel producers.
“Decades of heavy freight wore it down,” Congressman Nunn said, “Now we’re rebuilding it, on top of the more than $10 million already committed locally to get it done.” Joining him in the press conference, was: Josh Sebern, Guthrie County Engineer; Cory Kirkpatrick, Mayor of Stuart; Brenda Dudley, Executive Director, Midwest Partnership Economic Development; and Guthrie County Supervisors Mike Dickson and Maggie Armstrong.
“Out here in Guthrie County, a road like White Pole Road is how the grain gets to the elevator, how the school bus gets every kid to school, and how an ambulance reaches a family in time,” said Rep. Nunn. “Growing up on my family’s farm, I know what it costs a rural community when a road it depends on starts to fail. This investment rebuilds the road that farmers, families, and first responders count on every day, and keeps it moving for years to come.”
Rep. Nunn secured the funding through the FY2026 Community Project Funding (CPF) process. As the grant recipient, Guthrie County will administer the dollars to advance a major phase of the White Pole Road revitalization.
Once complete, the project will rebuild the 11.5-mile section from Highway 25 east to the county line — a stretch worn down by decades of heavy freight traffic and aging infrastructure. The work will repair failing pavement, modernize dangerous curves and outdated road geometry, widen shoulders, and close gaps in sidewalk connectivity through Stuart so students and families can reach downtown safely. Over the past decade, the corridor has seen 74 crashes, including serious injuries and fatalities.
The $500,000 federal award builds on more than $10 million in local and regional funding already committed to the corridor. Work is expected to continue through 2027.
Local and county leaders welcomed the investment.
“White Pole Road has connected communities, businesses, and families for generations. Today, we are investing in its future. Rural roads like this are essential but maintaining them requires strong partnerships at every level. This project demonstrates what can be accomplished when local, regional, state, and federal partners work together toward a common goal,” said Maggie Armstrong, Guthrie County Board of Supervisors.
“On behalf of the City of Stuart, we are grateful to Congressman Zach Nunn and his office for their support in securing Community Project Funding for the White Pole Road updates. This project is important to our community, and without Congressman Nunn’s support, the financial impact on Guthrie County and Stuart residents would have been much greater. We appreciate his continued commitment to small-town Iowa and his recognition of the infrastructure needs that help communities like ours continue to grow and thrive,” said Cory Kirkpatrick, Mayor of Stuart.
“On behalf of the Midwest Partnership Economic Development Corporation and the White Pole Road Scenic Byway, we sincerely thank Congressman Zach Nunn for his support in securing this important Community Project Funding. White Pole Road is a vital corridor that connects our communities, supports local businesses, and drives tourism and economic growth across our region. This investment will help ensure the route remains safe, accessible, and welcoming for residents, visitors, and businesses alike, demonstrating the power of collaboration between local leaders, county officials, and federal partners,” said Brenda Dudly, Midwest Partnership Economic Development.
“As a council member, I first think about what projects like this mean for the people of Stuart. This section of White Pole Road is heavily traveled and serves as an important connection to our community today, while also supporting future growth,” said Angie Capps, Stuart City Council.
“The White Pole Road resurfacing project is an investment in our county’s vast transportation infrastructure. It’s one of the most traveled roads within our county system. Projects like this are a testament to what can be accomplished when all levels of government work together,” said Mike Dickson, Guthrie County Board of Supervisors.
