Yesterday, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visited Grand Rapids to tout $8.68 million in investments from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law into the Gerald R. Ford International Airport—which will create more efficient, upgraded travel for thousands traveling for work, family, or fun.
These improvements to Grand Rapids’ main airport will be made no thanks to Congressman Peter Meijer—despite the fact that Gerald R. Ford International Airport is located in his district, he voted against the historic legislation in November.
“President Biden and Michigan Democrats are ensuring communities have the infrastructure in place for folks to travel safely and efficiently,” said Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Alyssa Bradley. “This funding is not only critical for modernizing and improving Michigan airports, but will also create thousands of new jobs—no thanks to a single Michigan Republican running for re-election.”
Below is the news flying into West Michiganders’ inboxes about the historic funding for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport:
NBC Grand Rapids: Buttigieg touts new funding at Ford Airport
“It’s going to make traveling better. It’s going to allow Grand Rapids to accommodate that increasing passenger growth and support the economic opportunity that is emerging across West Michigan,” Buttigieg said.
The goal of the airport infrastructure funding is to improve and modernize aging airports.
“Today when you look at global rankings of great airports not a single airport in the United States ranks among the world’s top 25 and we feel those short comings too often flying through terminals that need a lot of work and now we are in a position to fix that,” Buttigieg said.
MLive: Gerald R. Ford International Airport receives $8.68 million dollar grant
“U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg announces a $8.68 million dollar grant to help with the expansion of the concourse at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids on Monday, July 11, 2022. The $8,687,870 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding will be used for passenger boarding bridges.”
MLive: Pete Buttigieg says $8.68M will help Grand Rapids airport handle more travelers
“Buttigieg said the grant process was highly competitive and that the funds will help modernize aviation infrastructure across the U.S.
“‘For the long term, we’ve got to modernize the infrastructure itself and make sure the airports are ready not just to get through the summer travel season but for the decades ahead,’ he said. ‘All of this is a reality thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.’”
Michigan airports will receive a total of $72,826,671 in 2022 thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Learn more about the federal investments across the state here.
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