Governor Culver Announces $10.1 Million In Federal Recovery Grants For Iowa’s Airports

DES MOINES, IA – March 31, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Chet Culver announced today that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will allocate $10.1 million in federal funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to three Iowa airports in Iowa City, Sioux City, and Waterloo.

“When the President and Congress passed the federal recovery package, they had one goal in mind:  to move these dollars out the door and put people back to work,” said Governor Culver.  “As this announcement shows, in Iowa we are working to make that goal a reality.  This funding will provide much needed help to rehabilitate and renovate these three important facilities, and ensure that they continue to help grow our economy while putting Iowans back to work.”

The grants are enabled by the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. $1.1 billion was appropriated by Congress for the federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for discretionary grants awarded through the FAA. Seventy-seven airports serving Iowa were eligible to compete for AIP program, which provides funds for projects to improve runways and taxiways; provide noise control, navigational aids, safety and security features; and make land purchases.

Iowa City Municipal Airport will receive $2,536,062 to rehabilitate runway 12/30. The Iowa City Municipal Airport is owned and operated by the city of Iowa City and is classified as a general aviation airport. Over 70 aircraft are based at the airport.

The Sioux Gateway Airport/Col. Bud Day Field will receive $3,971,000 to renovate its terminal building. This non-hub primary and commercial service airport is owned and operated by the city of Sioux City.  The airport serves the general aviation community in northwest Iowa and is a major base for the Iowa Air National Guard.  An Iowa Department of Transportation report released in April 2008 showed that the Sioux Gateway Airport generates an estimated $218.6 million in annual economic activity and is responsible for 1,570 jobs.

Waterloo Regional Airport will receive $3,593,460 to rehabilitate runway 18/36. This project consists of overlaying the crosswind runway and installation of new edge lighting. The Waterloo Regional Airport is a non-hub, primary commercial service airport offering commercial, corporate and general aviation services. The Waterloo Regional Airport generates an estimated $64.3 million in annual economic activity and is responsible for 533 jobs.