Ames, Iowa — Two airports in our area have received part of $8.3 million from the fiscal year 2023 State Aviation Program.
The Iowa Transportation Commission says the grants that were given as part of the State Aviation Program are in both the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and the Aviation Vertical Infrastructure programs.
Modal Transportation Bureau Director Tammy Nicholson notes that funding for the State Aviation Program has stabilized as aviation activity and resulting revenue streams have returned to pre-pandemic levels. She says that it’s good to be back to normalized funding streams, but, “…now we need continue to find ways to stretch funding that has lost buying power with increased costs of materials and labor.”
In our area, the Sheldon Regional Airport received $39,000 toward “Fuel System Improvements ‐ Phase 2,” which is estimated to cost $86,000 in total. The Sioux County Regional Airport near Maurice will receive $30,000 toward a $63,500 airport entrance sign.
Elsewhere in northwest Iowa, the Spencer Municipal Airport will receive $144,000 toward $240,000 in Fuel System Improvements, and the Cherokee County Regional Airport will receive $63,000 toward Corporate Hangar Improvements, estimated to cost $90,000.
The DOT says the State Aviation Program supplements local and federal funding sources and seeks to maintain a safe and effective statewide air transportation system.
