2/16/24 - Several Michigan Airports Will Benefit From Recent Grants

Nearly $1 Billion in grants from the Infrastructure Law will go to Improve 114 airports across the United States. Grand Rapids, Hastings, Traverse City and Flint will benefit.

(Press Release) - WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is awarding $970 million from the Investing in America agenda to 114 airports across the country, spanning 44 states and three territories.

Michigan airports that will benefit include: Grand Rapids, Hastings, Traverse City and Flint.    

The funding helps meet the growing demand for air travel and launches projects that will improve passenger experience, accessibility, and sustainability while creating good-paying jobs. Investments enhancing the passenger experience include new baggage systems, larger security checkpoints, increasing gate capacity, and modernizing aging infrastructure throughout terminals and ground transportation. These investments further increase terminal sustainability and improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Nine grants will address the needs of aging air traffic control towers. 

“Under this administration, we are doing more to improve the travel experience than ever before, from expanding consumer protections to modernizing the physical infrastructure,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “These investments we’re announcing today, made possible by President Biden’s historic infrastructure package, will make it easier for passengers to get to and through airports, create jobs, and increase safety for all.”

“Today’s funding not only helps modernize airports to meet the needs of travelers today and for years to come but also creates good-paying job opportunities in communities both large and small,” said FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E. 
 
These awards are on top of the nearly $2 billion for airport terminals announced over the past two years. The vast majority of these terminal projects are under construction.

Many grants contain an element that will improve the passenger experience by improving security-screening areas, providing faster and more reliable baggage systems, and increasing accessibility for passengers with disabilities.

Many grants will increase access to other modes of transportation or improve roadways. T

Nine grants are awarded to airports to refurbish their airport owned airport traffic control towers.

Many grants contain an element that will increase terminal sustainability.

Several grants contain an element that will go to improving airport access in smaller communities.

A complete list of airports receiving funding can be found online.

Today’s funding is from the Airport Terminal Program, one of three aviation programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and comes on the heels of more than $240 million in funding for Airport Infrastructure Grants. The law provides $1 billion annually for five years for Airport Terminal Program grants. In total, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided a historic $25 billion to modernize our country’s airport infrastructure. Learn more at faa.gov/bil.