Aviation

Public-owned airport sponsors may apply for grants to assist in the preservation and development of the airfield and related infrastructure. Eligible projects are funded up to 85% and generally include planning and improvements related to enhancing airport safety, capacity, security and environmental concerns.

Applications are submitted as part of the annual application process.

The Air Service Development (ASD) program provides assistance to commercial service airports in Iowa to maintain and enhance passenger air service in the state. Targeted funding is used to attract and retain air service based on the particular needs and circumstances of the airport’s passenger air service market. Participation is limited to airports designated as commercial service airports in the Iowa Aviation System Plan that are currently receiving scheduled Part 121 domestic or Part 135 commuter service. Eligible projects may be funded up to 80 percent when funding is available for the program.

Applications are submitted as part of the annual application process.

The Immediate Safety Enhancement (ISE) program assists airports when timely infrastructure repairs and equipment replacement makes it impractical to wait for the annual application process for other aviation grants. Goals of the program are to keep airports safe and operational when unforeseen and unbudgeted issues arise that require immediate attention.

Applications are accepted throughout the year for reimbursable grants. A grant must be approved and fully executed prior the procurement or start of any work, or it will not be reimbursed. Due to the timely nature of ISE grant applications, the Iowa DOT attempts to expedite the review and execution of ISE grants which are subject to funding availability and will pay for 70% of a project, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Project Eligibility
To be eligible, each project application must justify an immediate need to keep the airport safe and operational.

Eligible Projects:

• Pavement repairs for immediate safety enhancement
  • Blow ups, potholes, sinkholes
• Repair or replacement of certain essential communication, lighting, and navigational systems including:
  • Unicoms, PAPIs/VASIs, rotating beacons, windsock poles, lighting system regulators
• Tree or obstruction removal creating an urgent safety need

Ineligible:

• Routine maintenance
• Routine parts, repair and replacement of communication, lighting, and navigational systems
  • REILs, taxiway and runway lights
• Hangar and building repairs
• Equipment repairs

The Airport Wildlife Mitigation grants provide assistance to airport sponsors in mitigating and removing wildlife from airports to reduce the potential for wildlife strikes with aircraft. The Iowa DOT Modal Transportation Bureau coordinates agreements with USDA Wildlife Services to perform year-long wildlife studies or mitigation activity at airports, provide resources and training for airports to conduct their own mitigation, and coordinate deer depredation efforts with the Iowa DNR. Activities eligible at an airport will reflect findings from initial consultations with the USDA Wildlife Services biologists.

Applications for funding are accepted throughout the year if there is a new and urgent need. When approved, the Iowa DOT Modal Transportation Bureau will work with Wildlife Services to develop a cost estimate and then send an agreement to the airport for approval. State share of the project is 85% and an invoice for payment of local share will be sent to the airport when the project is completed. An agreement must be signed between the airport sponsor and the Iowa DOT prior to Wildlife Services beginning the work.

Wildlife Mitigation Application form   

Land Use Planning and Zoning grants encourage airport sponsors, cities, and counties to enact airport zoning that protects compatible land use near airports. Airport sponsors are also encouraged to work with city and county comprehensive plans to include compatible land use protection for airports. Airport sponsors interested in funding for this purpose must first work with the Iowa DOT’s Modal Transportation Bureau to develop a scope of work and sign an agreement. An agreement must be signed prior to beginning the planning study. No reimbursement for the project will occur until the zoning or comprehensive plan has been adopted by the appropriate parties.

Applications for funding are accepted as part of the annual application process.