The Economic Impact of Waterloo Regional Airport in Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo Regional Airport serves Iowans throughout the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area and Cedar Valley Region, including Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, Fayette, Grundy, Floyd, Franklin, Hardin, and Tama Counties. Through over 20,000 aircraft operations per year and business, leasing, and economic development opportunities at the airport, we support our local and statewide economies by providing jobs, generating tax revenue, and so much more.
Please note: The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Aviation Bureau is currently undergoing an economic impact study for aviation and airports around the state of Iowa. This study is expected to be completed in 2021. Waterloo Regional Airport will provide a link to this study once reviewed and approved by the Airport Board and City of Waterloo City Council.
About Our Economic Impact
A vital economic asset in our area and throughout Iowa, Waterloo Regional Airport is a non-hub primary commercial service airport. Through American Airlines, we provide twice-daily commercial airline service to and from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), bringing visitors to our region and granting them access to the entire state. Our services enable travelers to contribute economically through the following and more:
- Contributing to sales tax revenue
- Supporting local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, venues, and more
- Bringing goods and services to areas throughout Iowa
- And more…
Across our 2,600-acre property and within our over 40,000-sq-ft airport passenger terminal building, Waterloo Regional Airport generates even more economic benefits for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area, Cedar Valley Region, and Iowa. You or your organization can help Waterloo Regional Airport continue to make positive economic impacts through opportunities such as:
- In-terminal advertising
- Annual agricultural concessions
- Hangar rentals
- Car rental concession opportunities
- Restaurant and lounge space
- Project bids
Oversight of Waterloo Regional Airport
Waterloo Regional Airport Staff is overseen by an Airport Advisory Board, which consists of seven members appointed by Waterloo’s mayor. These members received final approval by the Waterloo City Council. Two Waterloo City Council members provide oversight to the Airport Advisory Board and act as Liaisons of the Waterloo City Council. This oversight is applied to Waterloo Regional Airport’s approximately $1.15M budget, five-year, almost $10M Airport Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP), and budgets for the ACIP funds, which will prioritize the reconstruction of pertinent airfield pavement areas.
Airport Funding
Waterloo Regional Airport is financially self-sufficient, using tenant fees and charges to fund daily airport operations. The ACIP projects are funded with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants and Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) funds. This allows the City of Waterloo and Waterloo Regional Airport to match the federal funds from Washington D.C.
Learn More about Our Economic Impact Today
To learn more about the economic impact of Waterloo Regional Airport on the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area, Cedar Valley Region, and the state of Iowa, contact the Airport Staff today. We are available to answer your questions about economic development partnership opportunities and more between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday.
