U.S. Representative for Iowa’s Third District Cindy Axne (D) announced this week that the Guthrie County Regional Airport will be receiving about $3.15 million in federal funds.

The Federal Aviation Administration already gave the Guthrie County Regional Airport Authority a verbal agreement that they would fund 90% of a runway reconstruction project. Airport Board Chair Marshall Burgess says a replacement of the over 30-year-old runway is needed for agricultural companies and other users of the airport, as well as economic development for the county, “One of the things that businesses ask when trying to get them in the county they’re always happy that we have an airport so it’s important that way.”

Burgess adds the project will also include a new lighting system, beacon light pole, and a complete rewiring of the airport. The Board has selected Godbersen-Smith Construction Company of Ida Grove as the contractor, with work expected to commence next spring. Ten percent of the project’s funding is made possible by tax levies from the Authority’s stakeholders of Guthrie Center, Panora, and the County Board of Supervisors.