U.S. Sen. Gary Peters

MARQUETTE — U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, and Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Hills, recently announced that the Department of Transportation will be awarding $5,591,256 in funding to update safety equipment, repair runways and invest in other improvements at airports across the Upper Peninsula, including Sawyer International Airport.

These funds are from a Federal Aviation Administration grant program.

“Having reliable and safe air service is crucial for U.P. tourism, commerce and economic development,” Stabenow said in a statement. “This grant is an important investment in the infrastructure of our airports and will help our communities rebound from the pandemic.”

“Airports play a critical role in keeping businesses and communities throughout Michigan connected to important locations and resources,” said Peters. “This federal support will help ensure airports throughout the Upper Peninsula can continue transporting travelers safely and efficiently for years to come — by making necessary upgrades to critical infrastructure and helping purchase new equipment.”

≤ Houghton County Memorial Airport will receive $2,157,632 to install a new runway guidance system, repair runways and taxiways, and reconstruct runway and taxiway lighting systems.

≤ Sawyer International Airport will receive $466,950 to repair taxiways.

≤ Ford Airport in Dickinson County will receive $1,029,376 to purchase snow removal equipment and repair runways and taxiways.

≤ Chippewa County International Airport will receive $982,548 to purchase aircraft rescue and firefighting safety equipment, repair runways and taxiways, and improve runway lighting systems.

≤ Delta County Airport will receive $954,750 to purchase snow removal equipment and rehabilitate the snow removal equipment building.

More information on the Department of Transportation grant program can be found at http://www.dot.gov /grants.