May 20, 2009
May 20, 2009
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that two additional Michigan airports, Sawyer International Airport in Marquette and Muskegon County Airport, have been awarded a total of $2.5 million dollars in Recovery Act funds for projects to enhance safety and upgrade facilities. Muskegon County Airport will receive $800,000 to purchase new aircraft rescue and firefighting equipment, replacing aging and inoperable vehicles currently in their fleet. Sawyer International Airport will receive $1.7 million for construction of an airfield lighting vault, replacing a 50-year-old structure on the former Air Force base.
"This significant investment in Michigan's aeronautic infrastructure will not only create jobs as projects are bid and construction begins, but it will also enhance the safety and security of air travelers and boost our state's vital tourism industry," said Granholm.
In April, two other Michigan airports received Recovery Act support: Gogebic-Iron County Airport was awarded $200,000 for foundation construction and site utilities for a new terminal, and Midland Bay City Saginaw (MBS) Airport received $12.7 million to construct a new terminal building. And earlier this month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a $15 million Recovery Act grant for runway reconstruction at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
The grants to Muskegon County and Sawyer International, combined with the three grants already announced, bring the total Recovery Act investment in Michigan airports to $29.7 million.
The FAA Recovery Act program provides funding for:
Facilities & Equipment (F&E) Grants, financing major capital investments related to modernizing and improving air traffic control and airway facilities, equipment, and systems; and
Grants-in-Aid for Airports, primarily financing airport improvement projects to enhance capacity, safety, and security.
When the engine failed on their 1993 rescue vehicle in March, Muskegon County Airport applied for FAA-administered Recovery Act funds to replace it. "We were in a tough spot," said Manager Marty Piette. "The loss of our most up-to-date rescue vehicle left us with equipment from the 1970s. With this grant, we will be able to purchase modern equipment and help us ensure the safety of the passengers and crew members using our facility."
According to Keith Kaspari, manager of Sawyer International Airport, the $1.7 million in Recovery Act dollars will fund the first phase of a three-phase project to improve airfield lighting. "This Recovery Act grant gives us key initial funding to replace Sawyer's outdated taxiway lighting system - a vital part of our effort to upgrade and enhance Sawyer facilities and infrastructure," said Kaspari.
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