Brooks Field could get $157,000

State Senator Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) called for bipartisan cooperation on a measure to provide funding for four local airports.
The federal government has set a June 1 deadline for the legislature to approve matching funds or the federal portions of the projects could be stripped away. Schauer has voted multiple times to approve the airport funds, but disputes over other projects have kept the legislation from the Governor’s desk.
"This funding will help us put shovels in the ground right now, stimulate our economy, and position us for greater job growth and investment in the future," Schauer said. "Leadership on both sides of the aisle need to end the political game of chicken and get this resolved once and for all. I’m willing to work with any of my colleagues - Democrat, Republican, in the House and the Senate - to make sure this gets done."
The projects include:
W.K.KelloggAirport, Battle Creek - $2,016,000 total cost with $50,400 each coming from state and local sources and the balance from the federal government;
Brooks Field, Marshall - $157,895 total cost with $3,947 each coming from state and local sources and the balance from the federal government; and
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport - $6.7 million total cost with $167,500 each coming from state and local sources and the balance from the federal government.
Reynolds Field, Jackson County - $3 million effort, with $75,000 coming from the state, $75,000 from local, and the balance from the federal government.
Schauer has also supported efforts to include funding for projects at Kellogg Community College and Jackson Community College, but the airport funding with its looming federal deadline is a top priority.