An estimated $1.53 million parking area expansion for airplanes at the Newton Municipal Airport is on track to be done with a small percentage of city money. Newton Community Development Director Erin Chambers says U.S. Senator Charles Grassley notified the City this week that $433,000 has been earmarked for the project. The money is a Fiscal Year 2025 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Infrastructure Grant. Chambers notes the city has applied for other grants and will reduce the taxpayer cost to below $150,000.

“The city will be seeking a variety of grants, some of which we have already heard word on, which will ultimately mean that the huge project will have a city investment cost of $146,000, no more than that.” 

According to Chambers, a $340,000 State Aviation Program grant will also be utilized. She notes the additional parking space for planes will be a big help during IndyCar and NASCAR race weekends at Iowa Speedway, which is adjacent to the airport.