An estimated $1.8 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 City Administrator Matt Muckler says with expected state and federal funding, the city’s share of the engineering and construction costs is estimated to be just $130,000.

Newton Community Development Director Erin Chambers says the additional apron parking space for planes is needed for IndyCar and NASCAR race weekends at Iowa Speedway, which is adjacent to the airport. Currently, Chambers says some planes have to be kept at other nearby airports.

“This will have a significant impact on the community from an economic standpoint, keeping those visitors here in town instead of going back and forth to Des Moines or Ankeny. Also there is an economic impact when those planes are purchasing fuel from the Newton Airport. So keeping them here during those large events is good for the community.”

The City of Newton is ready to put the apron expansion project out for bid, with a bid opening planned for April 14th at Newton’s Community Development and Public Works Office on the fifth floor at 303 West 4th Street North.