Ottumwa airport gets $1.5 million

Jun 25, 2010 — Ottumwa Courier

Pat Shaver

Jun. 25, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- OTTUMWA -- The Ottumwa Regional Airport has been awarded a $1.5 million grant that will help retain jobs and expand business.

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration grant was announced Thursday.

The funds will be used to update water infrastructure, provide infrastructure support to the new job training facility, encourage future private investment and create jobs.

"It's a significant grant. It provides support for the infrastructure that services water to the new Job Corps and all the industries over by the airport," said Ottumwa City Administrator Joe Helfenberger.

Plans include water main additions, sewer improvements and updates to Fifth Street, among others. Helfenberger said the improvements will also be helpful in fire services near the airport.

"It makes it possible for some businesses to do future expansions and to keep existing jobs because there was a need for additional water supply to the area," Helfenberger said, adding that about 205 jobs would be saved and others would be created.

Ottumwa Water and Hydro is covering the local match for the grant, which totals $1,649. The total project is estimated to cost $3.1 million.

"All in all, it's just a terrific infrastructure improvement project that will provide an excellent opportunity for the community to facilitate economic development and create future job opportunities," said City Planning Director Dave Shafer.

The funding is estimated to allow for $15 million in private investment to be leveraged.

"That's estimated additional growth and expansion at the airport, which includes new development and existing businesses there," Shafer said. "That's $15 million in estimated private capital investments."

A Revitalize Iowa's Sound Economy (RISE) grant for $396,494 was recently approved for other improvements of Sixth Street from Terminal Avenue to the Job Corps facility, Shafer said.

The airport is a 1,440-acre complex and includes a General Aviation airport with two runways, rental hangars and full aviation services. The Industrial Park houses manufacturing, trucking and industrial businesses.

Pat Shaver can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or by e-mail at p.shaver@ottumwacourier.com.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0395-46429023