Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1 Million to Support Growth of Aviation Sector in Sioux City, Iowa

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1 million grant to the city of Sioux City, Iowa, to build a hangar at the Sioux Gateway Airport to be leased by a new aviation school that would provide training in flight, mechanics, avionics and other certifications. This EDA project, to be matched with $4.5 million in local funds, is expected to create 30 jobs and generate $720,000 in private investment.

“President Biden is committed to helping communities grow their critical business clusters to ensure that they not only recover from the coronavirus pandemic but build back stronger,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment at the Sioux Gateway Airport provides new job opportunities in a high-skill sector and ensures that the airport remains a strong economic driver in the region.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support Sioux City’s efforts to diversify their local economy by leveraging opportunities at the Sioux Gateway Airport,” said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “Both the aviation school and other improvements at the airport will not only create jobs, but also attract private investment.”

“I’m very happy Sioux City has been awarded a $1 million grant from the Economic Development Administration to build a hangar at the Sioux Gateway Airport and will ultimately be leased by an aviation school,” said Senator Chuck Grassley. “This brand-new space will create exciting opportunities for the Sioux City community as the aviation school will offer advanced training and certificates.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council, which EDA funds to help bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment, and create jobs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.