Kildee Announces More Than $900,000 for Bishop Expansion

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that Bishop International Airport would receive a $903,719 Federal Aviation Administration grant for previously acquired land to expand the airport. The federal funds will be used to reimburse Bishop Airport for 21 acres of land for badly needed additional parking.

In recent years, the growing importance of Bishop as a hub for commercial use had already helped draw in $4.1 million in federal aid. 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 better access from Bristol Road to the expanded cargo facilities. 

“The expansion of Bishop Airport has been and will continue to be one of my top priorities to promote the Flint area as a wise choice for businesses to invest in -- a conclusion that FedEx has recognized with their decision to expand here,” said Kildee. “Travelers will enjoy the benefits of Bishop’s growing importance in Michigan travel as the airport continues to grow.”

“Without the assistance of Congressman Kildee and the federal aid for which he continually advocates, the expansion of Bishop Airport would not be possible,” said Bishop Airport Director James Rice.

Bishop Airport 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, capitalizing on domestic and international markets.