Many airports in Iowa are receiving funding after the Iowa Transportation Commission approved grant program funding earlier this week. Iowa’s Airport Improvement Program is awarding $6.7 million among 25 airports across the state for fiscal year 2026.
Sioux Gateway Airport is one out of 9 Northwest Iowa airports to receive funding. The apron reconstruction project at that airport costs $600,000 and will receive $400,000 from the state.
Estherville and Le Mars Municipal Airports are the other two airports to receive large grants in the area. Estherville Airport will be awarded $400,000 for the parallel taxiway project and turf. Le Mars will be awarded $320,000 for the construct taxiway project.
Other awarded funds from the Airport Improvement Program are for the airports in Sioux County, Sibley, Milford, Sheldon, Spencer, and Spirit Lake.
*In June the Trump Administration proposed 90% funding cuts to tribal colleges and universities.
Two tribal colleges in the area, Nebraska Indian Community College and Little Priest College, would be severely affected by such cuts.
According to the presidents of the colleges, 85-90% of NICC’s funds and about 80-90% of Little Priest’s budget come from federal funding.
Both colleges have said that lawmakers have an obligation to uphold trust and treaty responsibilities, including providing funding to tribal colleges and universities. As for now, they tell Siouxland Public Media, lawmakers express they are in favor of TCUs.
If the funding cuts go through, both colleges say they have reserve funds and are working on a plan to keep the colleges going.
