Sawyer International Airport awarded grant for snow removal
MARQUETTE COUNTY — U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced today that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award the Sawyer International Airport in Gwinn.
The grant will be awarding the airport $678,150 to purchase new snow removal equipment in order to continue flights despite harsh winter weather.
Even State Rep. Sara Cambensy (D-Marquette) applauded the announcement, noting the important role the airport plays in keeping businesses in the Upper Peninsula operational year-round.
“This particular equipment is a multi-function piece of equipment,” explained Duane DuRay, Sawyer International Airport Manager. “It will have a snow plow, material spreader and a liquid spreader for sand and runway deicing compounds. So this will make sure we are able to utilize this vehicle in a multi-faceted way to ensure our flights and operation is as consistent and reliable as possible for the changing weather.”
The grant comes from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program to support the planning and development of public-use airports across the country.