Michigan, January 17, 2026
The Michigan Department of Environment has awarded $9 million in grants to 19 municipal airports in the state to tackle PFAS contamination associated with firefighting foam. The funding supports PFAS testing, source control, cleanup, and equipment replacement. The allocation comes after a request for proposals from the Michigan PFAS Response Team, which received applications totaling $14.8 million. The grants aim to mitigate health risks posed by these persistent chemicals.
Lansing, MI – Michigan Allocates $9 Million in PFAS Response Grants to 19 Airports
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has awarded $9 million in grants to 19 municipal airports statewide to address PFAS contamination linked to the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam. The funding aims to support activities such as PFAS testing and monitoring, source control and cleanup strategies for groundwater and stormwater, and the cleaning and replacement of firefighting equipment and turnout gear.
Details of the Grant Allocation
The following airports have been allocated funding:
- Battle Creek Executive Airport – $300,000
- Bishop International Airport – $300,000
- Capital Region International Airport – $300,000
- Cherry Capital Airport (Northwest Regional Airport Authority) – $1,000,000
- Chippewa County International Airport / Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation – $475,000
- Delta County Airport – $476,697
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport – $370,000
- Ford Dickinson County Airport – $462,600
- Former Marquette County Airport – $1,000,000
- Gerald R. Ford International Airport – $150,000
- Gogebic-Iron County Airport – $361,400
- Houghton County Memorial Airport – $1,000,000
- Kalamazoo / Battle Creek International Airport – $710,681
- Manistee County Blacker – $150,000
- Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport – $150,000
- MBS International Airport – $340,202
- Oakland County International Airport – $264,479
- Pellston Regional Airport – $1,000,000
- Willow Run Airport – $250,000
These grants were awarded following a request for proposals from the Michigan PFAS Response Team (MPART), which received 21 applications totaling $14.8 million in funding requests. The allocated funds will assist airports in implementing measures to mitigate PFAS contamination resulting from firefighting foam usage.
Background on PFAS Contamination
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of human-made chemicals used in various applications, including firefighting foam, food packaging, and consumer products. PFAS are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in living organisms, posing potential health risks. The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART), established in 2017, coordinates efforts to identify and address PFAS contamination sources, protect public health, and collaborate with local health departments to safeguard communities affected by PFAS in groundwater.
For more information on PFAS and the initiatives undertaken by MPART, visit Michigan.gov/PFASresponse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of the $9 million in grants awarded to Michigan airports?
The grants aim to address PFAS contamination related to the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam at 19 municipal airports across Michigan. The funding supports activities such as PFAS testing and monitoring, source control and cleanup strategies for groundwater and stormwater, and the cleaning and replacement of firefighting equipment and turnout gear.
Which airports received funding from these grants?
The following airports were awarded funding:
- Battle Creek Executive Airport – $300,000
- Bishop International Airport – $300,000
- Capital Region International Airport – $300,000
- Cherry Capital Airport (Northwest Regional Airport Authority) – $1,000,000
- Chippewa County International Airport / Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation – $475,000
- Delta County Airport – $476,697
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport – $370,000
- Ford Dickinson County Airport – $462,600
- Former Marquette County Airport – $1,000,000
- Gerald R. Ford International Airport – $150,000
- Gogebic-Iron County Airport – $361,400
- Houghton County Memorial Airport – $1,000,000
- Kalamazoo / Battle Creek International Airport – $710,681
- Manistee County Blacker – $150,000
- Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport – $150,000
- MBS International Airport – $340,202
- Oakland County International Airport – $264,479
- Pellston Regional Airport – $1,000,000
- Willow Run Airport – $250,000
What are PFAS, and why are they a concern?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of human-made chemicals used in various applications, including firefighting foam, food packaging, and consumer products. PFAS are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in living organisms, posing potential health risks. The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) coordinates efforts to identify and address PFAS contamination sources, protect public health, and collaborate with local health departments to safeguard communities affected by PFAS in groundwater.
How can I learn more about PFAS and the initiatives to address them in Michigan?
For more information on PFAS and the initiatives undertaken by MPART, visit Michigan.gov/PFASresponse.
Key Features of the PFAS Response Grants
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Grant Amount | $9 million |
| Number of Airports Receiving Funding | 19 municipal airports across Michigan |
| Primary Purpose of Grants | Address PFAS contamination related to the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam |
| Eligible Activities Funded | PFAS testing and monitoring, source control and cleanup strategies for groundwater and stormwater, cleaning and replacement of firefighting equipment and turnout gear |
| Source of PFAS Contamination | Use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam at municipal airports |
| Administering Agency | Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) |
| Established Response Team | Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) |
| Year MPART Was Established | 2017 |
| MPART’s Goal | Protect public health by identifying sources of PFAS, addressing PFAS contamination at the sources, and working with local health departments to protect people in areas where groundwater is impacted by PFAS |
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