Port Lansing

(Lansing, MI)  The Capital Region International Airport (LAN) has been granted $1.1 million in federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) funds from the U.S. Department of Commerce to support infrastructure construction projects in the airport industrial park and nearby airport corporate property.

The economic development federal funds will help pay for a total project that will exceed $1.9 million and include: the extension of water lines along Corporate Aviation Drive, and the installation of water and storm sewer lines along with curb and gutter to accommodate the paving of Perimeter Road and Port Lansing Road in the airport industrial park.

"The federal EDA grant funding is a critical link to the future development of Port Lansing, the airport industrial park and nearby corporate properties," said Robert Selig, Executive Director of the Capital Region Airport Authority.  "Business and industry will soon have more than 120 acres of airport property that is completely prepared to support commercial business development.  This EDA grant has the potential to create 410 jobs and leverage $31 million in private investments which is exactly what EDA grants are designated to do, create jobs and leverage private investment in EDA supported projects."

"These federal dollars provide an opportunity for collaboration and smart investments between the public and private sectors and will help create jobs," said Michigan U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.  "The mid-Michigan region has strategically located international facilities at the airport to help businesses have a greater presence in global markets and increase exports of Michigan and U.S. products and services."

Improvements along Corporate Aviation Drive on the west side of the airport near the Jackson National Life hangar, and near the Port Lansing Commerce Park located in the south east corner of the airport strategically located within Foreign Trade Zone No. 275, allowing the receipt and shipment of international goods and reducing, eliminating, or deferring tax duties into Michigan.

"The EDA grant is an example of how non-profits, local communities, federal agencies and private business can come together to create job opportunities and diversify the area's economy," said Jon Coleman, Executive Director of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission.

Work to design detailed construction plans should be finished this winter and actual construction work is scheduled to begin in early spring, 2011.  All construction projects should be completed by November 2011.

For more information contact:
Nicole Noll Williams  (517) 886-3728 or
Robert Kolt (517) 706-0001