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Proposed Sioux Gateway Airport (SUX) Foundation

Needs Assessment Questionnaire

Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire. The Sioux Gateway Airport Board of Trustees is exploring the creation of a SUX Airport Foundation to enhance community engagement, support airport initiatives, and expand educational opportunities throughout the Siouxland tri-state region.

Sioux Gateway Airport (SUX) is a joint-use facility that proudly hosts the 185th Air Refueling Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard and the Iowa Army National Guard 1-113th Cavalry. The airport operates with an FAA control tower and now offers three daily commercial flights that started January 6, 2026 (2 to Denver and 1 to Chicago). SUX continues to work to attract more business and leisure travelers despite competition to the north and south. The airport also plays a vital role in aviation education through partnerships with Morningside University - now offering bachelor’s degrees in professional Flight and Aviation Management - and Western Iowa Tech Community College, which plans to launch an Aviation Airframe Maintenance Technician diploma program and an Aviation Maintenance Technology AAS program in Fall 2026. Sioux Gateway Airport has a strong general aviation presence supported by Ascension FBO, newly added T-hangars, and the new SUX Aviation Hangar. The airport terminal features a café, a modern parking control system that parks travelers just steps away from the door, and three major car rental companies onsite: Enterprise/Alamo/National, Avis, and Hertz. Operations are supported by City staff, the FAA, and TSA to ensure a safe experience for travelers.

Your feedback as a key leader/stakeholder will help determine the feasibility, focus, and potential mission of a SUX Airport Foundation. Responses will be handled with care and confidentiality.
Section 1: General Interest & Perceptions
1.How familiar are you with the current operations, commercial flight offerings, general aviation, and the joint military use at Sioux Gateway Airport (SUX)?
Very familiar
Familiar
Slightly familiar
Not familiar
2.Do you believe a dedicated SUX Airport Foundation could provide significant value to the airport and the wider tri-state community, particularly in helping it compete with nearby Omaha and Sioux Falls airports and supporting all aspects of aviation?
3.What three words first come to mind when you think of the Sioux Gateway Airport and its role in the region?
Section 2: Programs and Activities
4.If created, what foundation activities would be most impactful for community engagement and attracting more travelers? (Select all that apply)
5.How important is it for the foundation to focus on aviation education and career pathways for local students, including programs at Morningside University and Western Iowa Tech Community College, and general aviation pilot certifications?
Very important
Important
Moderately important
Not important
6.Would your organization be interested in partnering with the foundation on specific events or initiatives designed to drive passenger traffic or enhance community perception?
7.What specific community needs in the Siouxland area do you believe an Airport Foundation could help address?
8.What existing community organizations or groups should the foundation collaborate with to maximize its impact and reach?
Section 3: Funding and Resources
9.Are you or your organization open to providing financial support (e.g., donations, sponsorships, grants) to the foundation?
10.If funding were available, which area should be the top priority?
11.What potential funding sources (private, public, grant-based) do you recommend the SUX Airport Foundation Explore?
12.On a scale of 1 (very unlikely) to 5 (very likely), how likely are you to use SUX for business travel knowing United Airlines offers group rates for groups of 10+?
1 (Very Unlikely)
2 (Unlikely)
3 (Neutral)
4 (Likely)
5 (Very Likely)
Section 4: Time and Involvement
13.How likely is it that you or members of your organization would volunteer time to support foundation events or programs?
Very likely
Likely
Neutral
Unlikely
Very unlikely
14.What skills or expertise (e.g., event planning, fundraising, marketing, aviation knowledge, education, military liaison) could you or your network contribute to the foundation?
15.What is the most effective way to communicate foundation updates and volunteer needs?
Section 5: Future Vision and Recommendations
16.What should be the primary impact of a SUX Airport Foundation over the next five years?
17.Are there airport foundations or community models elsewhere that Sioux Gateway Airport should examine?
18.What challenges do you foresee in establishing and maintaining an effective foundation, especially given the competitive airports north and south?
19.What advice would you give the Airport Board of Trustees regarding the next steps for creating this foundation and promoting all aspects of the airport's operations?
20.Do you have any additional comments or suggestions not covered in the previous questions?
21.If you would like to stay engaged regarding this particular opportunity, please provide your business or personal contact name, email address, and phone number so that we may contact you directly regarding next steps.
Thank you for your valuable input. For more information regarding the Sioux Gateway Airport, check out our website at www.flysux.com, or by phone at 712-279-0169. Any direct questions in connection with this survey can be directed to Melissa Uhl by email at muhl@sioux-city.org.