US Iowa Senator Tom Harkin recently announced that the Jefferson Municipal Airport will receive $175,374 as part of a runway improvement project through funds from the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration.

The City Council approved at May 14th’s meeting to secure 13 acres of land from Brett Schilling to extend the protection zone of runway 14/32 so that it would comply with safety standards and protection area regulations.

Airport Commissioner Jim Forbes says that the project includes extending the current runway from 3,200-feet to 4,000-feet to accommodate business-level airplanes.

“Well, it’s a good, positive thing.  Their insurance for most of the business-level airplanes require a 4,000-foot runway for their insurance to be good if it’s wet or icy or anything to be able to stop.”

He points out that there are three parcels of land that have to be acquired to make the entire project complete which will be brought over the next couple of years, but overall, Forbes is happy that progress is being made.

Jefferson’s airport is one of three to receive funding along with Pella Regional and Sheldon Municipal airports as part of a $1.1 million for funding for various rehabilitation and improvement projects.