Urban and Regional Planning graduate students will partner with the City of Ottumwa to create a developent plan for the Ottumwa Regional Airport Growth Area. 

The Ottumwa Regional Airport offers distinct multimodal advantages, including direct access to highways, proximity to rail infrastructure, and an inventory of adjacent industrial land. Fully realizing this potential requires coordinated planning and due diligence to align access, utilities, zoning, and site readiness with targeted industry needs and available federal and state investment opportunities. With the right framework in place, the airport area can catalyze job creation, strengthen the regional economy, and support long-term community sustainability.

The capstone team will work closely with City officials, economic development partners, airport leadership, property owners, and other stakeholders to evaluate existing conditions, identify opportunities and constraints, and develop a long-term vision for the airport growth area. City leaders seek a clearer understanding of how the airport and surrounding land can support future industrial, commercial, logistics, and aviation-related development while preserving flexibility for future growth. Key focus areas may include land use and development strategies, transportation and infrastructure improvements, utility planning, site readiness, economic development opportunities, environmental considerations, and implementation strategies that position the area for public and private investment.

Through data collection, stakeholder engagement, market and land use analysis, and spatial planning, students will help Ottumwa identify development opportunities and priorities. The final plan will provide a framework to guide future infrastructure investments, strengthen regional competitiveness, and support business attraction and expansion around the Ottumwa Regional Airport.

This project provides students with real-world experience in economic development planning, industrial site planning, land use analysis, infrastructure planning, stakeholder engagement, and implementation planning while addressing a strategic redevelopment opportunity for the City of Ottumwa.