WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley said today that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded grants totaling $7,441,880 to improve safety and operations at 24 airports in Iowa.
These federal grants are distributed through an Airport Improvement Program that is administered by the FAA. They are not earmarks determined by Congress. Public facilities at the state and local levels, as well as private-sector entities are eligible for these grants for projects at public-use airports. According to the FAA, distribution of Airport Improvement Program funds is based on current national priorities and objectives. Federal officials direct the funds first into major categories, including primary, cargo and general aviation. Remaining funds go to a discretionary fund, and grant applicants compete for these federal dollars.
“This funding is intended to increase the safety and efficiency of these airports,” Grassley said.
The funds will be distributed as follows:
• Ankeny Regional Airport will receive $1,530,000 to improve the runway safety area
• The Audubon Airport Authority will receive $429,875 to construct a parking lot and rehabilitate the runway
• Belle Plaine Municipal Airport will receive $228,000 to construct a building in which to store snow removal equipment
• Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids will receive $285,000 to update the airport’s master plan to help identify the airport’s future needs
• Creston Municipal Airport will receive $218,500 to construct a building in which to store snow removal equipment
• Decorah Municipal Airport will receive $296,135 to construct a taxiway
• Dubuque Regional Airport will receive $266,000 to rehabilitate the taxiway
• Fairfield Municipal Airport will receive $76,000 to construct a building in which to store snow removal equipment
• Fort Madison Municipal Airport will receive $301,874 to rehabilitate the taxiway
• Greenfield Municipal Airport will receive $66,500 to update the airport’s master plan to help identify the airport’s future needs
• Knoxville Municipal Airport will receive $107,280 to rehabilitate the airport’s access road
• Le Mars Municipal Airport will receive $194,252 to construct a building in which to store snow removal equipment
• Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport will receive $66,500 to update the airport’s master plan to help identify the airport’s future needs
• Oelwein Municipal Airport will receive $421,420 to construct a building in which to store snow removal equipment
• Pocahontas Municipal Airport will receive $233,000 rehabilitate the runway lighting
• Rockwell City Municipal Airport will receive $219,744 to rehabilitate the airport’s ramp
• Sac City Municipal Airport will receive $76,000 to update the airport’s master plan to help identify the airport’s future needs
• Shenandoah Municipal Airport will receive $76,000 to construct a taxiway
• Sioux Gateway/Col. Bud Day Field in Sioux City will receive $156,750 to update the airport’s master plan to help identify the airport’s future needs, $380,000 to purchase snow removal equipment, and $61,750 to rehabilitate the airport’s ramp
• Vinton Veterans Memorial Airpark will receive $185,440 to rehabilitate the airport’s ramp
• Washington Municipal Airport will receive $1,096,704 to rehabilitate the runway
• Waverly Municipal Airport will receive $250,656 to rehabilitate the airport’s access road
• Webster City Municipal Airport will receive $61,750 to extend the runway
• George L. Scott Municipal Airport in West Union will receive $156,750 to purchase snow removal equipment
Each year, local Iowa organizations, colleges and universities, individuals and state agencies apply for competitive grants from the federal government. The funding is then awarded based on each local organization or individual’s ability to meet criteria set by the federal entity.