About $1.3 million of that funding, which was obtained in 2022, will go toward the airport's Concourse A expansion project, known as Project Elevate. The expansion will add eight new gates to the concourse bringing the total to 22 gates.
More than $8.6 million will go toward installing eight new passenger-boarding bridges. Sen. Peters helped secure this funding with U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow through the signing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
These projects are expected to help alleviate congestion, provide capacity for new flights and create 100 local construction jobs.
Sen. Gary Peters, a democrat, says billions of dollars are tied to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) and as it expands, so will business.
“The Grand Rapids area is an area that is very enticing for a business to locate, and as you expand the airport here, that will help attract even more businesses into West Michigan and that’s why every dollar that we invest here in the airport should be considered an investment in future growth and good paying jobs,” he said.
GFIA President Tory Richardson says phase one of the airport’s Project Elevate, which includes the eight new gates, is expected to come online in June.
“This year, we’ll be into a record growth that we haven’t seen in before, so we need the space, the airlines need the new space, we need the new gates, we need the new hold rooms, the food and beverage concepts, and all that, that comes with it,” he said.
Richardson said the airport beat previous passenger records seen in 2019 for the months of January and February of this year, and came close to beating the record again in March.
“Construction continues, everyday we see about 125 different men and women out here doing various tradework, electrical, plumbing….all of that’s happening and it’s all very exciting, we’re very pleased to be seeing that progress and being very close to opening up our new space,” he said.
Once phase one is completed, Richardson said construction will begin on the existing Concourse A area for remodeling followed by construction on the second floor for an airport lounge.
The expansion is expected to be completed in 2024.