Levin Announces $2.9 Million for Sawyer International Airport

WASHINGTON — Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., announced today that the Department of Transportation has awarded a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant of $2,919,000 to Sawyer International Airport for the construction of an access road, and renovations to the hangar and taxiways. Levin fought for the funding to be released as early as possible to accommodate the short construction season in Marquette.

"Last fall, I proudly attended the ribbon cutting at Sawyer International Airport and today I am proud to announce that Sawyer will receive this FAA grant it so richly deserves," said Levin. "Sawyer International Airport shows us how a community can work together to create a vibrant civilian airport bringing new jobs and a revitalized economy to Marquette."

Since K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base closed five years ago, Levin has worked to help secure funding for the community to convert the base into a full-service civilian airport. In 1997, Levin authored legislation which changed the requirements for the Military Airport Program (MAP) so that the K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base conversion reuse plan would be eligible to apply for this funding. Prior to Levin's amendment, K. I. Sawyer -- and many former military airports -- were ineligible for funding because MAP funds were reserved for airports that would alleviate congestion in metropolitan areas.

Since the passage of Levin's amendment, however, K. I. Sawyer received a total of $6.9 million in Federal Aviation Administration funds, most of which was MAP money. These funds were used to help construct the passenger terminal, renovate the airport maintenance building and improve the existing runway. Today's grant marks the third year in a row that Sawyer Airport has received FAA funds through the MAP program, a five-year program, and brings their total to more than $9.8 million. Sawyer is eligible to receive additional MAP funding for the next two years.

Today's grant of $2,919,000 combines entitlement funding which airports receive from the Federal Aviation Administration annually, and discretionary funds which are determined by a competitive selection process among airports which have applied for funding for specific renovations and improvements. Discretionary funds account for $2,454,600 while entitlement funds total $464,400.