Coralville, Ia. - Now is Iowa's chance to build the infrastructure the state will need in coming decades, Gov. Chet Culver told the Iowa State Association of Counties on Thursday.

"I really think this is an opportunity for us to really look at the big picture in terms of Iowa's infrastructure needs - not just flood-related," Culver said at the association's annual conference at the Marriott hotel. "We need to do more than just help you rebuild your roads and bridges."

A second federal economic stimulus package to states is likely to include money to shore up America's basic infrastructure, he said, including schools, prisons and even the Internet.

"This is our window of opportunity," Culver said. "The best part is that we'll be putting people to work. We'll be creating really, really good jobs."

Culver estimated that, for every $1 billion in spending on infrastructure, 40,000 jobs could be created.

The governor praised county officials for completing more than 8,800 applications for federal money set aside for disaster relief. The projects include building refurbishment at the University of Iowa and a new levee in Oakville, among others.

On Wednesday, Culver said the state received $17 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for ecological conservation projects.

Iowa has already been allocated $850 million in federal disaster money, he said, adding that more is available, but we must "show the need."

"We have to continue to put a lot of pressure on Washington," Culver said, noting that $6.4 billion in disaster relief has been allocated, but that 33 states are eligible in what is the worst year for natural disasters in America's history.

"We know we need more money," Culver said.