AVIATION’S IMPACT ON IOWA’S ECONOMY
In 2009, a report released by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Aviation Bureau documented how aviation is used in Iowa and concluded that air transportation is a key contributor to the state’s economy.
The report, titled Uses and Benefits of Aviation in Iowa, was part of a study that analyzed: the economic impacts of on-airport operations; visitor spending; specialized services, such as helicopter emergency medical services and aerial spraying; and aviation-related manufacturing.
The report was designed to assist aviation stakeholders in making informed decisions related to operations and investments in Iowa’s air transportation system and as a tool in educating the public on the uses and benefits of aviation in Iowa.
Uses and Benefits of Aviation in Iowa (2009 Economic Impact report)
A healthy air transportation system is important to Iowa. It is estimated that 12% of Iowa’s economy is in one way or another linked to aviation.
Aviation is integrated into every facet of the economy and plays an important role in making Iowa a better place to live. Aviation supports more than 47,000 jobs across the state and has more than an $18 billion economic impact as the following table shows.
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|
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| Commercial airports
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$1.3B
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| General aviation airports
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$187M
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| Ag aviation
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$214M
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| Helicopter EMS
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$22M
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| Aviation-related industry
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$3.9B
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| Benefits to business users
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$12.8B
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|
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$18.4B
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Iowa’s largest employers rank factors in the following order when selecting locations for new or expanded business facilities.
- Work force availability
- Tax incentives
- Proximity to a commercial service airport
- Highway access
- Cost of hiring
- Proximity to a general aviation airport
- Suppliers
- Academic/Cultural centers
- University and research centers
- Raw materials