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| Bishop International Airport receives $4 million grant that will create 200 new jobs for area residents
Contact:
Bill Shreck, MDOT Director of Communications, 517-335-3084
Agency:
Transportation
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July 26, 2006 - - The Michigan Aeronautics Commission (MAC) today awarded Bishop International Airport $4 million to begin development of an intermodal freight hub. The project, when completed, is expected to improve safety conditions, increase commercial air traffic at the airport and create up to 200 new jobs in the Flint area. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in 2009 and to result in $130 million in earnings over a five-year period.
"This is good news for the Flint community. Not only will this grant enable Bishop International Airport to expand its operations, but it will create 200 new jobs for area residents," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. "This is a clear example of the benefits that come from local and state collaboration."
The project will combine federal, state, local and private dollars to bring in more than $60 million in new construction to Bishop Airport and provide a positive stimulus for continued economic growth in the Flint area. With MAC approval, bond revenues will be allocated to finance the land acquisition for the project. The total amount of $4,440,000 includes $4 million in Airport Safety and Protection Plan (ASAP) money and $440,000 in local funding.
"The new freight hub will equip Bishop International Airport to better handle large containers of freight and physically separate its freight operations from the passenger terminal. This provides the airport with the added benefit of relieving the security concerns related to having these two operations in such close proximity," said MAC Chairman Terry Everman.
"We are pleased to contribute to the economic development of the Flint area with these improvements to Bishop International Airport," said State Transportation Director Kirk Steudle.
Increasingly, industry is turning to intermodal transportation to increase productivity and efficiency. An intermodal shipment is one that moves freight by two or more modes of transportation during a single trip. Intermodal connections link the various transportation modes: highways, air, rail, and maritime.
Protect Michigan families: Where Workers Present Drive 45!
- A message from MDOT and Michigan's Give 'em a Brake Safety Coalition
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