On Wednesday, representatives of the Michigan state government announced that small airports in the state will receive $4 million in one-time infrastructure development grants through the Michigan Aeronautics Commission and the Michigan Department of Transportation.
"Governor (Gretchen) Whitmer and I are committed to investing in infrastructure that serves communities across Michigan, and our airports are no exception," said Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II in his release. "We are proud of the progress we have made by securing millions of dollars in federal funding to improve airports, and these new grants will help airports enhance safety, security, and infrastructure."
The funds will help pay for 44 development projects at 33 airports, including obstacle removal, runway resurfacing, lighting upgrades, hangar construction, and equipment procurement, reports MDOT.
Initially, MDOT received applications from 54 airports for 97 projects totaling $10.5 million. Selection criteria included the airport's licensing status, use of funds allocated for COVID-19 response, project timelines, zone protection, project justification, community support, and compliance with Michigan airports development plan requirements—all factors influencing the selection process.
"This important state/local program provides necessary funding, ensuring investments in airport infrastructure for safe, efficient, and reliable travel for both businesses and communities at large and small airports across the state," said MAC Chair Ben Carter.
Airport funding and planned projects
| Airport Name | Project Description | Estimated Project Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Antwerp County Airport, Beller | New main access gates | $80,000 |
| Clare County Airport, Harrison | Runway lighting upgrade, sealing of surface | $254,000 |
| Gratiot County Public Airport, Alma | Reconstruction of hangar zone and taxiway | $53,000 |
| Greenfield Municipal Airport | Obstacle removal per Part 77 standards | $87,000 |
| Newman Field Airport, Kalamazoo | Tree removal and trimming, underground power lines installation | $66,000 |
| Ovaso Public Airport | Obstacle removal on Runway 36 | $50,000 |
| Rey Community Airport | Asphalt paving of Runway 10/28 (2 inches) | $301,000 |
| South Gavenport Regional Airport | Obstacle removal | $30,000 |
| Branch County Memorial Airport, Coldwater | Construction of T-hangar (36x184) | $250,000 |
| Cheboygan County Airport | Purchase of Jet A fuel trailer | $79,000 |
| Clare Municipal Airport | Upgrade of 100LL refueling system, surface sealing | $76,000 |
| Gaylord Regional Airport | Installation of card reader and fuel recovery system | $56,000 |
| Grand Haven Memorial Airport | Replacement of Jet A refueling pumps | $64,000 |
| Kirsch Municipal Airport, Sturgis | Reconstruction of 6 T-hangar bays, purchase of fuel card reader, mower and snowblower, surface sealing, beacon replacement | $378,000 |
| Livingston County Airport, Spencer J. Garvey, Howell | Purchase of refurbished GPU, surface sealing | $92,000 |
| Sparta Municipal Airport | Installation of 10,000-gallon jet fuel reservoir, surface sealing | $284,000 |
| Wexford County Airport, Cadillac | Fuel recycler | $36,000 |
| Saginaw County Airport, G. W. Brown | Purchase of Jet A fuel truck, surface sealing | $140,000 |
| Charlevoix Municipal Airport | Purchase of snow removal tractor and snowblower | $89,000 |
| Gillespie Memorial Airport | Purchase of snowplow with loader, surface sealing | $147,000 |
| Ontonagon County Airport | Purchase of mulcher tractor | $170,000 |
| Ottawa-Ziland Executive Airport | Purchase of dump truck and 72-inch mower | $78,000 |
| Sanderston Field Airport, Sault Sainte Marie | Purchase of tug and power supply | $50,000 |
| Albert J. Lindberg Airport, Hessel | Surface sealing | $85,000 |
| Brooks Field Airport, Marshall | Surface sealing | $36,000 |
| Empire Airport | Surface sealing and TWY, $60,000 | $60,000 |
| Grand Haven Memorial Airport | Surface sealing | $39,000 |
| Iosco County Airport, East Tawas | Tower painting | $26,000 |
| Jackson County Airport, Reynolds Field | Surface sealing | $127,000 |
| Luces County Airport, Newberry | Surface sealing | $20,000 |
| Marlette Township Airport | Surface sealing | $23,000 |
| Oakland County Airport, Pontiac | Surface sealing | $166,000 |
| Presque Isle County Airport, Rogers City | Surface sealing | $15,000 |
