Bishop International Airport, located in the Mott Foundation’s home community of Flint, Michigan, has secured financing for construction of an intermodal transportation hub. Such a facility is designed to move cargo and other goods from one form of transportation — highways, rail, air or maritime — to another. The $33.7-million project at Bishop, for which Mott intends to provide up to $10 million in support, is scheduled for completion in 2009. The hub will capitalize on Flint’s strategic location along national and international trade corridors. In this Q&A, Airport Director James L. Rice II discusses the intermodal hub, and its potential impact and how airports can help their regions economically. The interview was conducted by Mott Communications Officer Duane Elling.
Mott: How did the intermodal hub project come about?
 James Rice |
James Rice (JR): The Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission, the Flint Area Chamber of Commerce and the Michigan Department of Transportation sponsored a study in 2001 to look at the potential economic impacts of the county’s transportation systems. Those systems — roadways, railways and air — are key to a transportation structure that links Canada to Mexico and countless points in between.
The study found that the transport of cargo by those local systems was also critical to the region’s economic future. And it became clear that our airport’s location — right at the intersection of two major freeways [I-69 and I-75] — offered an opportunity to capitalize on the trend of moving cargo by air, a market that’s increasing nationally at a rate of 5 to 6 percent a year.
Since then, we’ve been working with area partners to explore and design a local connection, or intermodal hub, that more effectively links air transport of cargo with the trucking and railway components. This project represents a major step forward in that work.
Mott: How will the new hub help meet the needs of area industries?
JR: In today’s competitive marketplace, businesses — small and large — can’t afford to have products and inventory just sitting there, taking up space. They need to move cargo in and out quickly and efficiently, even overnight. Air transport can do just that.
But getting cargo to and from a distant airport can be an expensive chore. Fortunately, our location makes us readily accessible to businesses throughout the region. And the new facilities made possible by this project will significantly expand our capacity to accept and process additional shipments. This will make the transport of cargo more efficient and, in the end, will save businesses time and money.
Mott: What impact might the new hub have on the greater Flint community?
JR: We’ve been working closely with the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce to explore the economic opportunities that this project offers. For example, the new facilities will enhance our ability to ship cargo efficiently around the world, which will open global markets to local businesses. This can help strengthen existing industries in the area, as well as attract new ones to the community.
In addition, the construction and operation of the hub itself will support many jobs in the coming years. And the growing trade for local businesses — and potential start-up of new industries — will likely bring significant revenue to the community and expand career opportunities for area workers.
I also believe that projects like this reflect new opportunities for the greater Flint community. We’ve been through some tough times over the years and the intermodal hub isn’t going to solve those problems. But the project does reflect a large effort by local leaders to help the community find its strength and grow once again.
Mott: How does this project fit in with the long-term goals for the airport?
JR: Part of the airport’s mission is to create the physical infrastructure — the terminals, the ramps and other facilities — that can handle the long-term needs of passengers and businesses. This project reflects an ongoing effort by the airport to meet those needs for years to come.
Mott: What do the experiences of Bishop tell us about the role that smaller, regional airports can play in their communities?
JR: In many communities, these airports are actual gateways to the rest of the world. They provide transportation to local passengers, who might otherwise have to drive several hours to take a flight. And, as we’ve already discussed, they increasingly make it possible for cargo to be shipped into and out of their communities, which then helps meet the ongoing needs of area businesses and families.
I think our experiences also highlight the importance of local support to the success of these airports. Fortunately, Bishop has been blessed with an ideal location for a project such as the intermodal hub. But we’ve also benefited from a community that believes in our work and from local leaders who have stepped forward and said, “What are the opportunities available and how can we make the most of them?” That type of relationship is key to the success of both the airport and the community.
Additional Resources
- View details about the grant to Bishop International Airport.
- View a PDF with additional information about Bishop Airport's history and operation.
- Read a brief history of Mott Foundation funding in support of Bishop International Airport.
- Visit the Web site of Flint Bishop International Airport.