| For immediate release September 14, 2009 |
Contact: Erin Donar
202-225-3611
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| Kildee Announces $1.8 Million Grant for Bishop Airport | ||||
| WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that Bishop International Airport will receive a $1,848,902 Federal Aviation Administration grant to rehabilitate the airport’s terminal apron, used for parking aircraft while they are loaded and unloaded. On July 8, 2009, Congressman Kildee wrote to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, requesting funding for this project. “The expansion of Bishop Airport has always been one of my highest priorities and I am proud to have helped secure this funding. As Bishop Airport continues to expand, it will draw increased business investment to our region as well as improve transportation options for our communities. This is wonderful news for our area and I will continue to work to ensure that Bishop can thrive and serve our local communities for years to come,” said Congressman Kildee. In recent years, the growing importance of Bishop as a hub for commercial use has helped draw in more than $14 million in federal aid. In July 2009, Congressman Kildee announced a $3.5 million Federal Aviation administration grant to improve pavement and runway conditions as well as de-icing. This past January, Bishop Airport received a $6.1 million grant to help fund construction of taxiways and expansion of aprons at the airport. In August of 2008, the airport received a $900,000 grant to aid in the purchase of land previously acquired for additional parking. In September of 2007, Congressman Kildee helped secure a $2.5 million grant to expand its west cargo apron to accommodate both additional and larger freight aircraft. Congressman Kildee also helped secure $1.6 million in a 2005 federal highway bill to improve Bristol Road and accommodate the apron expansion. Bishop Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in America, generating close to $200 million in regional business activity. 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. |
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