Gerald R. Ford Airport details terminal upgrades, parking shortfall and says FAA funding is needed for control tower

Tory Richardson, representing the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, told the Kent County Finance Committee that the airport is on track with multiple terminal and airfield projects but still needs federal funding to replace its aging air traffic control tower.

Richardson said the airport is recording record passenger activity, supports about 40,000 jobs across a 13-county West Michigan region and contributes about $7.7 billion in regional economic output. He outlined recent and planned projects including the opening of Concourse A and the Club GRR lounge, a consolidated rental car facility with an elevated skyway, a new aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) facility, a cell-phone waiting lot, an economy-lot expansion that added roughly 1,700 surface parking spaces and ongoing terminal enhancements that relocate ticketing and add basement-level baggage screening and explosive detection equipment.

Why it matters: the airport is a major regional economic engine and the projects are intended to serve rising demand and preserve air service options. Richardson said the most consequential unresolved issue for further development is funding for a new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control tower.

Richardson described…