$8.6 million dollars will be used for upgrades to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport,

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is scheduled to make a stop in Grand Rapids today. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation says Buttigieg will give a press conference at Gerald R. Ford International Airport and will talk about USDOT’s airport terminals grant initiative.                                                                                                                                                                    The grant is expected to help bolster high-paying jobs and improve transportation for Grand Rapids area residents.

The Federal Aviation Administration is awarding $8,687,870 in federal funding to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

It is part of the Airport Terminal Program and is one of three aviation programs that was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.  

The money will go toward installing new passenger boarding bridges, expanding a terminal gate and improving the airport's energy efficiency.