AMES – The Iowa Transportation Commission last week approved $5.9 million for the fiscal year 2014 State Aviation Program, which includes several subprograms detailed below.
The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) will fund $3.6 million for aviation safety, planning and airport development projects at 26 airports throughout Iowa. Projects funded through the AIP include maintenance of aviation weather systems; runway marking; windsocks; emergency operational repairs at publicly owned airports; match for federal statewide planning studies; land-use planning; air service development; and wildlife mitigation at airports. AIP programs are funded with revenue from aircraft registration fees and aviation fuel taxes.
Aviation vertical infrastructure programs will provide nearly $2.3 million for projects at all eight commercial service airports and 10 general aviation airports throughout Iowa. These programs provide funding for the maintenance and development of airport facilities, such as terminal buildings, maintenance facilities and aviation hangars. Vertical infrastructure programs are funded through the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF).
“Iowa’s air transportation system is critical to the movement of goods and people,” said Iowa DOT’s Office of Aviation Director Michelle Mc Enany. “Aviation plays a key role in supporting economic activity in Iowa by delivering an estimated $18 billion impact to Iowa’s economy. The State Aviation Program is essential to maintaining the safety and effectiveness of air transportation in Iowa.”
The State Aviation Program supplements local and federal funding sources, and seeks to maintain a safe and balanced statewide air transportation system.
