The Greater Des Moines Partnership’s federal policy initiatives for this year cover some familiar but important topics. As about 200 of us get ready for the annual DMDC trip to the nation’s capital May 8-10, here’s a look at the top-line priorities (not in any special order), with selected comments from Partnership SVP Joe Murphy: 

— Des Moines International Airport’s proposed new terminal. “We think this is something that is long overdue,” and one that is important for economic development, Murphy said. The Partnership notes that the busier-all-the-time airport is serving a community expected to hit 1 million residents within a generation. A nearly $500 million project would include a new terminal and a shuffling of operations to make the airport more efficient, but there’s a $200 million budget shortfall. A key to filling that, airport officials say, is getting congressional approval to increase the passenger facility charge on plane tickets. The Partnership supports that change, noting the fee hasn’t increased since 2000. “We think that is a key way to sort of unlock the magic that would fund the airport terminal,” Murphy said. The new fees would open the possibility of bonding, which could speed the project. 

— Water trails. The system of 80 water trails would be a key to attracting people to Greater Des Moines and keeping them here, the Partnership maintains. A key part is a whitewater course in downtown Des Moines, and nearby areas for more laid-back paddling. The push will be for “adequate and permanent funding sources” that could include a partnership among federal agencies, nonprofits and “other granting authorities.” “This is a strategic priority of the Partnership,” Murphy said. “The best way to finance this is through a public-private partnership.” This is the first time the Partnership will pitch this specific project, though it has supported river recreation before. 

— Housing. Here the play is supporting increased funding for the Community Development Block Grant Program, the HOME Investment Partnership Program and the Housing Choice Vouchers Program. Backers note that housing is crucial to community development, including attracting workers. “We know that our population will be a million people in relatively short order, so what can we do right now to put policy pieces in order so when we get there they literally have a place to live? Housing is an issue we hear about more and more.” 

— Arts and cultural grants. The Partnership supports public investment in arts, which Americans for the Arts reports are a $16.8 million business in Greater Des Moines supporting 5,677 jobs. “This will always be on our agenda — grants for arts and culture,” Murphy said. 

— Transportation and infrastructure. There’s been a lot of talk about added spending in this arena, and the Partnership “believes that a multimodal and intermodal vision must prioritize maintenance of existing facilities, manage capacity, expand alternative modes, reduce congestion and improve the efficient, safe and sustainable movement of goods and people throughout the country and world.” Murphy said much of this discussion will be on road projects. Last year, there were meetings about the transload facility project that has made progress.