MAURICE, Iowa (AP) — Residents and officials have gathered to celebrate the opening of a new airport in northwest Iowa that’s expected to fuel area business and development. The grand opening of the $32 million Sioux County Regional Airport on Wednesday marked the culmination of a nearly 20-year effort. It features a 5,500-foot  runway that can handle business jets. There’s also a parallel taxiway, a terminal, several hangars, fueling systems, safety approach lighting, a weather station and other features.

The airport replaces airports in Orange City and Sioux Center that were limited by their shorter runway lengths. It sits about a mile from Maurice. Construction began in 2015 at a 493-acre site that was previously farmland. The project was funded by a mix of federal, state and local funding and private sources.