Genesee County View: Congresswoman announces $4.5M grant for Bishop International Airport

FLINT TWP. – Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet announced that Bishop International Airport will receive $4.5 million in funding during a news conference held Wednesday, July 8.

“A strong Bishop Airport means a strong Michigan,” said McDonald Rivet. “This is one of the most important investments we have made.”

She said the money will go towards building a new 1,200 foot taxi lane and then a 6,000 foot service road, adding that means more capacity for more flights.

She added that one of the most basic functions of government is to help people, help the economy and help things move fast, easily and safely around the region, and that she works with members of her party and Republicans on the Committee for Transportation.

“It’s known as a workhorse committee,” she said, later adding t hat it is a rare place in Congress where she and other members know big pieces of legislation that help local communities.

She also mentioned work on a recent bipartisan package passed that helps to fund roads and bridges.

“Now today’s funding for Bishop International Airport is an example of common sense winning out,” said McDonald Rivet. “Families across our region will be better off for it.”

McDonald Rivet also called mid-Michigan a common sense place.

She said that when it comes to the airport, the project involves rebuilding and expanding upon a true jewel in the community.

“Airports are economic engines, and this investment strengthens FNT’s growth,” said Bishop International Airport Authority CEO Nino Sapone.

He added the mission is to always build an airport for the community.

“As you can see from the improvements, we wanted to make this airport with a sense of place,” said Sapone. “You see Flint, you see famous buildings of Flint in the flooring. That’s what it’s all about, it’s a community airport.”

He also called the regional airport a jewel.

“Congresswoman McDonald Rivet is a true partner, and we really appreciate everything she’s done,” said Sapone.

He added that the grant will help take the airport to a new level, adding that plans for improvements had been on the books for three to four years.

“We look forward to being able to execute it, and be able to build hangars and develop more property on this airport.”

He said that Bishop Airport is committed to continuing momentum, and they are hoping to maintain or become one of the state’s premiere regional airports.

“There’s so much capacity here,” said Sapone. “You fly through here, it’s easy access.”

He said the improvements, which range from what’s being done with flooring, the ticket counters or an information display is being paid for with grant dollars from deferral partners.

“That’s important because it doesn’t touch the base for a cost for employment in the airport,” said Sapone. “The airlines don’t see an increase in their costs.

He added that was a big opportunity.

“We retire debt from bonds from previous expansions of the terminal,” said Sapone. “We’re not taking on any more debt.”

Genesee County Board of Commissioners Chair Dale Weighill also spoke

Thanked McDonald Rivet for shepherding money back home to the community she represents.

Added that the board of commissioners back in January adopted different priorities in four different categories, and that one of them is directly related to the project at Bishop International Airport in terms of economic development and community growth.

“We know that in the post-pandemic environment, people can work from anywhere , and we also know that Genesee County has a relatively low cost of living,” said Weighill. He continued. “People from all over the country can live and work in Genesee County. One of the ways they can do that is through this dynamic, important hub that we have in the form of Bishop International Airport.”

Flint Mayor Sheldon Neely said the goal of Wednesday’s news conference was to talk about economic growth and engagement brought into the city and surrounding areas.

He thanked Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet for her advocacy at the federal level, and added there’s been a level of municipal, county, state and federal input to ensure the area has a great international airport, noting that this is what progress looks like.