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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that Bishop International Airport would receive a $2,576,029 Federal Aviation Administration grant to continue construction of an intermodal hub and allow the airport to accommodate larger aircraft. In recent years, the growing importance of Bishop as a hub for commercial use had already brought $4.8 million in federal aid.
“Bishop Airport’s expansion will greatly increase its capacity for large aircraft and potential to manage cargo shipments in and out of Flint,” said Kildee. “Bishop is one of the fastest growing airports in the country. With its proximity to major interstates and rail lines, it is ideally situated to be a cargo hub for the region, bringing new jobs and tremendous economic benefits to mid-Michigan.”
Bishop Airport Director Jim Rice said “We are extremely pleased with getting the funds and would certainly like to thank Congressman Kildee for his assistance.”
The federal funds will be used to:
- design and construct a taxiway and an expanded terminal apron to accommodate the demands of growing commercial services;
- construct a sand and chemical storage facility to meet federal code; and
- reimburse Bishop Airport for land previously acquired for airport development.
In September of 2007, Kildee helped secure a $2.5 million grant to expand its west cargo apron to accommodate both additional and larger freight aircraft. Cargo ramps and aprons are used for staging aircraft while they are being loaded and unloaded.
Kildee also secured $1.6 million in a 2005 federal highway bill to improve Bristol Road and accommodate the apron expansion. The funding helped to facilitate easier access from Bristol Road to the expanded cargo facilities.
Bishop Airport is the third busiest airport in Michigan and is one of the fastest growing airports in America, generating close to $200 million of business activity in the region. It is situated near the Canadian National and CSX railroads at the junction of I-69, I-75 and US 23. These heavily-traveled corridors are major arteries of freight movement through the state of Michigan and are key trade routes that connect the state to Canada, Mexico and beyond. The new cargo hub at Bishop will utilize these major corridors to help businesses in Michigan meet their logistical goals in capitalizing on domestic and international markets.
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