Community - Elevate - Gerald R. Ford International Airport

OUR WHOLE
community IS
TAKING OFF.

With an expanded concourse, a new control tower, more parking, enhanced rental car capabilities and improved baggage inspection technology, Elevate is taking travel—and West Michigan—to new heights.

Community Business Supporters

Steelcase

Steeelcase is an office furniture company started in 1912 by Peter M. Wege in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.

The Rapid

The Interurban Transit Partnership operates a public transit system called The Rapid, which provides bus service to the Grand Rapids, Michigan metropolitan area and beyond.

Trillium Investments

Trillium Asset Management offers investment strategies and services that advance humankind towards a global sustainable economy, a just society, and a better world.

Flooralytics

We test all types of flooring and textiles for all types of customers.

Century Flooring & Cleaning

We know floors, but we’re more than that. Offering janitorial services, commercial floor care, home cleaning, office furniture cleaning, and commercial and residential flooring options.

CS Erickson

Redefining what the market expects from a technical trade partner. We deliver insights, simplicity, and confidence in every interaction.

Canyon Equities

Canyon Equities leverages highly desired resources to maximize both individual and company potential.

Custer

We’re big believers in the idea that your workspace should empower you to do your best work, not inhibit you.

John Ball Zoo

John Ball Zoological Garden is an urban park located on the west side of the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States..

Kent County Road Commission

KCRC maintains nearly 2,000 miles of roads and over 170 bridges within the County of Kent.

Witte Travel & Tours

A full-service travel agency that offers performance tours, as well many other types of travel.

Applied Innovation

To manage today’s technology, you need a partner who’s everywhere you are. In the office.

US Staffing Agency

Your complete employment specialists! Our mission is to help develop communities by building relationships and connecting people.

Wolverine World Wide

Wolverine World Wide, Inc is a publicly traded American footwear manufacturer based in Rockford, Michigan.

Highland Group

Highland Group is a full-service marketing and brand studio with a uniquely tailored mission for people, place and prosperity.

Tower Pinkster

Architecture, engineering, and interiors design firm with offices in Grand Rapids, MI, and Kalamazoo, MI.

Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University is a public university in Allendale, Michigan.

Grand Rapids Crane Co.
Grand Rapids Crane provides superior crane rental service across the state of Michigan.

Destination Consultants, LLC — Destination Consultants
Destination Consultants is a logistics-based Destination Management Company based in Grand Rapids, MI.

Augusta Tower Telecommunication Technologies, Inc. — Augusta Tower Technologies
Augusta Tower Technologies is a turnkey contractor that specializes in the installation, upgrade, and maintenance of telecommunications equipment for the nation’s largest cellular service providers.

Meijer

Meijer Inc. is an American supercenter chain throughout the Midwest, which is a part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. Founded in 1934 as a supermarket chain, Meijer is credited with pioneering the modern supercenter concept in 1962.

Arrowaste Waste Management Service — Arrowaste
We’re a full-service waste and recycling company.

Behler-Young Company

Behler-Young is a third generation family-owned business with a mission of satisfying the comfort needs of homeowners and business owners through wholesale distribution.

Supply Chain Solutions

Good process leads to real results. With Supply Chain Solutions, we combine a process-driven approach with action to deliver measurable business value.

University of Michigan Health-West

University of Michigan Health-West is a nonprofit multi-specialty medical provider that is relentlessly advancing health to serve West Michigan as part of the state’s top-ranked health system.

The Windquest Group

We invest in people and ideas that make a positive impact on our city, our community, and our world.

The Christman Company
With more than 485 experienced full-time professionals, our team of experts, leaders and partners is focused on building more than buildings.

Pioneer Construction

Pioneer Construction builds exceptional facilities that perform for our clients on time and within budget.

Warner Norcross + Judd

At Warner, we’re intentional about driving benefits for our clients and our colleagues.

Advantage Benefits Group

With over 125 years combined experience, the Advantage family has built an impressive and extensive client group.

Gordon Food Service

Gordon Food Service is a foodservice distributor based in Wyoming, Michigan serving the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest regions of the United States and coast-to-coast in Canada.

Lake Gogebic Area Chamber Of Commerce

Lake Gogebic is the largest inland lake in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, offering unparalleled recreational opportunities.

Hope Network

Hope Network is a non-profit Christian organization in Michigan that helps people with disabilities live independently.

Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber

We are the largest chamber in Southwest Michigan, leading the charge for sustainable growth for our evolving region.

RDV Corporation

RDV Staffing provides domestic, household and property related positions predominantly in West Michigan.

Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce

Predicated on the belief that strong business leads to a strong community, the West Coast Chamber exists to foster business success.

Weller Auto PArts

Weller Auto Parts is an award-winning salvage yard that has specialized in used auto parts, used truck parts, and used foreign auto parts since 1932.

Kent Intermediate School District
Kent Intermediate School District is a Educational Service Agency in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Buist Electric
Since 1964, Buist Electric has been committed to “Raising the Standard” in the electrical industry.

Crystal Flash

We are a company that gets it done – whether it’s delivering fuel to a home, fleet or field.

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine is an academic division of Michigan State University, and grants the Doctor of Medicine degree.

Star Truck Rentals

Star Truck Rentals is principally engaged in the long-term lease, short-term rental and fleet maintenance of light and heavy-duty, over-the-road trucks.

Consumers Energy

Consumers Energy is an investor owned utility that provides natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of Michigan’s 10 million residents.

R&R Mechanical Services

We have been servicing our West Michigan community for over 10 years, Our team of certified technicians have experience servicing, repairing and installing all of the top brands of furnaces, air conditioners, air handlers, inside air quality and related equipment.

DP Fox

DP Fox Ventures, LLC is a diversified management company with interests in transportation, real estate, fashion, sports and entertainment.

Kentwood Public Schools

We provide the best-trained staff to educate our children in a safe and orderly environment.

Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third Bank is an American bank holding company. Fifth Third is one of the largest consumer banks in the Midwestern United States, Fifth Third Bank is incorporated in Ohio.

Buttonwood Capital Management

Buttonwood Capital Management is a family office dedicated to stewarding the resources of its founding family and their descendants.

Switch

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, Switch is built on the intelligent and sustainable growth of the Internet.

SAS Incorporated

S. Abraham & Sons is the leading wholesale food distributor in the Midwest with a complete service program for the convenience store business.

Amway

Amway is the world’s largest direct selling company.

DK Security

DK Security, a veteran-owned business, has since grown to over 2,000 employees and has become the largest locally owned security company in Michigan.

Meritage Hospitality Group

We are a progressive, dynamic company, driving strategic growth in the competitive culinary market.

Grand Rapids Chamber

The Grand Rapids Chamber is the voice of the West Michigan business community and the premier business membership organization in the region.

Interphase Interiors

Located in Grand Rapids & Traverse City, Michigan, we are proud to be the exclusive dealer in Western & Northern Michigan for Haworth, Inc.

Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille

We create happiness, lasting memories, and great meals for our guests of all ages by providing the best food, drinks, and hospitality in an entertaining environment.

Spectrum Health

Spectrum Health, based in Grand Rapids MI, is an integrated health system with teams of nationally recognized doctors and providers.

Jireh Metals

Enterprising ownership with equal passion for design and precision, and a true blue, highly skilled workforce that takes pride in surpassing the exacting standard of its trade.

EV Construction

We are builders, so it’s our goal to make the construction process run smoothly for everyone involved. We keep people at the center of our business.

AHC Hospitality

AHC Hospitality is a management company that drives outstanding solutions that surpass expectations for guests, employees, and stakeholders.

Experience Grand Rapids

From world-class attractions and outdoor recreation to nationally ranked food and craft beverage scenes – Grand Rapids, Michigan is filled with unexpected surprises.

Green Collar Farms

We are an indoor urban farm demonstrating emerging agtech and soilless hydroponic techniques to grow hyper-local leafy greens and herbs.

MLive Media Group

The latest news, updates, photos and videos on Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Haworth

Haworth Inc. is a privately held, family-owned office furniture manufacturer headquartered in Holland, Michigan, United States.

Suburban Inns

Founded in 1979, Suburban Inns is Michigan’s premier provider of lodging and hotel accommodations.

Experience Grand Rapids

From world-class attractions and outdoor recreation to nationally ranked food and craft beverage scenes – Grand Rapids, Michigan is filled with unexpected surprises.

City Of Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids is a Michigan city on the Grand River, east of Lake Michigan.

Cascade

Cascade Charter Township is a charter township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan.

MDOT

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is responsible for Michigan’s nearly 10,000-mile state highway system.

Federal Aviation Administration

We strive to reach the next level of safety and efficiency and to demonstrate global leadership in how we safely integrate new users and technologies into our aviation system. We are accountable to the American public and our aviation stakeholders.

Air Alliance

A private sector initiative dedicated to providing world-class commercial air service in the region.

Legislators and Sources of Funding

Senator Peters

Secured more than $1.2 million in federal funding in FY22 to implement safety upgrades and expand Gerald R. Ford International Airport. The Congressionally Directed Spending funds will help to support the expansion and widening of Concourse A, which includes safety upgrades, such as an updated fire alarm and public address system. Thanks to Senator Peters’ work, the FY23 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) budget includes funding for the design of a new Air Traffic Control Tower.

Senator Stabenow

Thanks to Senator Stabenow’s work, the FY23 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) budget includes funding for the design of a new Air Traffic Control Tower at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

Representative Scholten

Utilizing the Community Project Funding program, Congresswoman Scholten supports ELEVATE and landside capacity improvements associated with the Terminal Enhancement – Phase 1 project.

Learn more here.

Representative Moolenaar

Representative Moolenaar continues to advocate for and support federal investment in a new Air Traffic Control Tower at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport will receive $8,687,870 from U.S. DOT’s Airport Terminal Grant Program, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, or BIL, to support the addition of eight new passenger boarding bridges on its Concourse A expansion and widening project.

Former Representative Meijer

Supported H.R. 2471, the Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act that will help to fund the Concourse A Expansion and Widening project. Representative Meijer continues to advocate for and support federal investment in a new Air Traffic Control Tower at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

Contractors

Mead and Hunt
We are one company, united in our vision to shape the future by putting people first.

Aero Systems Engineering
Specializing in the planning, design and construction of today’s most advanced airport terminal-based, fixed ground support gate systems.

Architectural Metals
Serving building owners’ architectural metal and building enclosure needs.

Bazen Electric
Bringing power to West Michigan.

Bouma Corporation
Commercial interior and exterior finishing experts since 1950.

C & S Companies
Identifying and implementing well-rounded, comprehensive, and resilient solutions.

Cascade

Cascade Charter Township is a charter township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan.

Central Tile & Terrazzo Co.
A full service flooring contractor specialized in the design and installation of tile, carpet, terrazzo, wood flooring, and granite countertop products.

CJ's Coatings/Sealants Inc. — CJ’s Coatings/Sealants Inc.
Specializing in floor coatings, sealants, waterproofing and masonry restoration.

Dobie Construction
We do wood. Well, we do a lot more than just wood, but that is a good start for what we do.

Eagle Enterprise
Providing superior broad-based commercial construction services for industrial, private, and public clients.

Franklin Holwerda Company
A quality mechanical contractor specialized in water treatment facilities, HVAC, process piping, and sheet metal fabrication and installation.

City Of Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids is a Michigan city on the Grand River, east of Lake Michigan.

HKS
We deliver designs that inspire, connect and perform

ICF

Strategic consulting for a digital world

Jelsema Concrete Construction Inc.
Maintaining a high professional standard of excellence in the commercial and industrial concrete industry.

Jensen Hughes
Making our world safe, secure and resilient.

JK Masonry, Inc
We offer efficient & professional construction services.

Johnson Commercial Interiors
A dedicated team of full service commercial flooring professionals.

JONES WORLEY — Jones Worley
An Atlanta-based agency with a national reputation for integrated marketing, communications, branding, wayfinding, and signage design.

Kentwood Excavating
We know our way around dirt.

KONE

Improving the flow of urban life.

Legacy Steel
Legacy Steel has been formed from the nearly 60 years of steel and precast experience of its leadership team.

Moye Consulting
Developing quality information technology systems solutions.

NCS Construction Services, LLC
A full-service commercial development and construction services company headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, MI.

Parkway

Parkway is one of West Michigan’s strongest and most comprehensive power, communication, controls, and audio/visual companies.

Praise Sign Companies, Inc
We design, manufacture, and install award winning commercial signage, lighting and electrical services.

Pro-Tech
Michigan’s #1 environmental and demolition specialists.

Rite-Way Plumbing
Delivering quality, on-time, and budget-conscious work, in a SAFE manner, that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.

SecurAlarm

For clients across America and around the world, we design, install and integrate the industry’s newest electronic security, fire alarm and communication systems.

Steel Supply & Engineering
Fabricates structural and miscellaneous steel out of two fully automated facilities located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Total Fire Protection
A family-owned-and-operated company, fully committed to fire protection and life safety.

Trans Solutions
Developing feasible, cost-effective designs and operational policies in and around transportation facilities.

Versatile Roofing Systems
Providing you with roofing services that you can count on, whenever you need us.

Vos Glass
A leader in the Michigan glazing industry, providing a full range of glass products and services for commercial, residential and service applications.

Welch Tile
We proudly provide our services, knowledge, and expertise to a variety of industries.

Artists

George Eberhardt III – Terrazzo Artist

George Eberhardt III, inspired by aspects of Katsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” referenced Lake Michigan and its water elements in his design that measures a diameter of 15 feet.

With a background in program development and curriculum design, Eberhardt focuses on enriching the lives of youth and diverse communities as an artist, muralist and art teacher.

A previous ArtPrize winner, Eberhardt’s mural work can be seen across West Michigan with pieces at Slows BBQ in downtown Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Public Schools, West Grand Neighborhood Organization, Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association, Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, among many others.

Instagram: @the_third_ge

George Eberhardt III’s terrazzo design

Kim Nguyen – Terrazzo Artist

As the selected artist for the City category, Kim Nguyen referenced the cities and towns of Grand Rapids and surrounding West Michigan areas, while also including representations of Grand Rapids’ agricultural, medical and manufacturing industries in her terrazzo floor design. Her installation will pay homage to our community’s former moniker “Furniture City,” while winding the Grand River and Grand Rapids’ proximity to the shores of Lake Michigan.

As a designer and illustrator, Nguyen’s previous clients include Sweetwaters Café, Universal Music Group and Adult Swim. Nguyen was also selected as one of the 27 local artists to paint portraits of influential women on mechanical boxes located throughout downtown Grand Rapids, as part of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.’s “Rad Women” public art project.

Website: thaikim.com

Instagram: @thaikim

Kim Nguyen’s terrazzo design

I am overjoyed and feel incredibly honored to be one of the artists helping new residents and future travelers see the beauty of our home through artwork beneath their feet. I have always felt a fondness for airports because they bring me the thrill of travel, and in the case of Ford International Airport, the relieving feeling of being almost home.

I have a photograph where I am two years old and meeting my three older brothers at Ford International Airport, it is there that I met them and my grandparents for the very first time. Though I was born in Grand Rapids, my family are refugees and immigrants from Vietnam, and I can’t imagine what they felt when they landed here in West Michigan.
Kim Nguyen

Maureen Nollette – Terrazzo Artist

Maureen Nollette, inspired by a photograph she took of a Sand Cherry shrub on a roadside beach in Michigan, created designs to showcase the vastness of the Lake Michigan Dunes and the region’s native flora.

She is currently a visiting assistant professor at Grand Valley State University in the department of visual & media arts. Nollette was a resident artist for the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation and Ngo Le Korsa Project in Sinthian, Africa, as well as a resident artist for the Marble House Project in Dorset, Vermont.

Her collections can be found at the Detroit Institute of the Arts, J. Jill Group, MGM Mirage Hotel and Yves St. Laurent.

Website: nollettestudio.com

Instagram: @maureen.nollette

Maureen Nollette’s terrazzo designs

Michael Pfleghaar – Terrazzo Artist

Michael Pfleghaar recently completed a collection of plein air paintings which was translated into his terrazzo designs to replicate West Michigan’s natural forestry and agriculture.

Pfleghaar has permanent collections at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Steelcase, Inc., Herman Miller, the State of Michigan and Grand Valley State University. Apple, HBO, CBS, ForeSee, Hayworth and Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts are a few of the organizations that have utilized Pfleghaar’s artwork as illustrations.

Website: blog.pfleghaar.com

Instagram: @pfleghaar

Michael Pfleghaar’s terrazzo designs

Jeffrey Augustine Songco – Aerial Artist

Songco’s artwork—titled Facets—consists of three large-scale, site-specific suspended sculptures, composed of hundreds of strands of colorful, multi-sided shapes.

Having won the prestigious ArtPrize© Nine Installation Category Juried Award, Songco’s artwork has graced renowned venues across the United States, including Mattress Factory in Pittsburgh, the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience in Seattle, SPRING/BREAK Art Show in New York City, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts in Grand Rapids and the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. He is featured in the publication Queering Contemporary Asian American Art and as a writer, his pieces have appeared in Art21 Blog, Bad at Sports, HuffPost and Hyperallergic.

Website: songco.org

Instagram: @songcoarts

Jeffrey Augustine Songco’s aerial art designs

AK Bueno – Mural Artist

A visual artist and educator, Bueno focuses on creating abstracted architectural spaces and deconstructed landscapes in her pieces. Bueno received her bachelor’s degree in illustration from Grand Valley State University and her master’s degree in teaching from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Her mural, “Welcome to West Michigan,” focuses on abstractedly depicting key architectural elements from the region.

Website: akbueno.com

Instagram: @ayekaybueno

AK Bueno’s mural art design

It is such a privilege to share my work with those traveling through Gerald R. Ford International Airport. It is my hope the imagery in my mural invites travelers to experience calm, joy, excitement, curiosity, familiarity and a true sense of hospitality as they go forth.
AK Bueno

Maddison Chaffer – Mural Artist

Chaffer, a public artist and conservationist, apprenticed for two years under national and international muralists. Chaffer now installs murals professionally for public art festivals, small businesses, corporations and local governments.

Their mural, “Manitou Passage,” is intended to share in the appreciation for the landscape’s history and inspire travelers to help preserve Michigan’s native ecosystems.

Website: sonvisualco.com

Instagram: @son.visual

Maddison Chaffer’s mural art design

Jimmy Cobb – Mural Artist

Cobb is a Great Lakes artist whose work can be found along the shores of Lake Michigan, such as Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Norton Shores and Milwaukee. His piece, “Hauling in the Sail,” was inspired by Zoltan Sepeshy, a Hungarian painter wh resided and taught in Michigan, and is intended to bring the vision and energy of the great coastlines to life.

Website: jimmycobb.art

Instagram: @jm.cobb

Jimmy Cobb’s mural art design

Devin Dumond – Mural Artist

Dumond is a multi-disciplinary artist and entrepreneur who specializes in branding for small businesses and illustrations. Dumond teaches graphic design and illustration at Kendall College of Art and Design.

Their mural, “Twilight on the Rapids,” is inspired by their hometown of Grand Rapids and the variety of architecture found within the city. The piece features the structure of the city juxtaposed by the organic shapes of the Grand River and lush green landscape.

Devin Dumond’s mural art design

Jill Eggers – Mural Artist

Eggers is an associate professor at Grand Valley State University, where she has led the painting program since 2000. She has a bachelor’s degree in painting and art education from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in painting and printmaking from Yale University. Eggers also studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Eggers’ mural, “Returning to Earth,” is based on the dense and lyrical woods of Michigan and focuses on connecting travelers to the beauty and peace of the forest.

Website: jilleggers.com

Jill Eggers’ mural art design

Dania Grevengoed – Mural Artist

As a muralist, Grevengoed’s work focuses on the native plants and wildflowers of the location where she is painting. Grevengoed resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Grevengoed’s installation, “Growth (but they’ve been here the whole time),” features magnified botanical line drawings of native plants that emphasize their beauty and ecological importance to the region.

Website: daniagrevengoed.com

Instagram: @interpersonaldesign

Dania Grevengoed’s mural art design

Airlines

Economic Impact

Construction impact

gate counters

135

column enclosures

47800

square feet of metal panels

1780

total metal panels

Over 13,000 punched holes in a stainless steel column enclosure base
Over 132 miles of low voltage and copper wiring
Over 1,200 light fixtures added
Over 4,300 structural steel pieces

169

tons of steel decking

88000

lbs of aggregate used within the terrazzo flooring

11987

total number of ceramic tiles

1200

speakers added

128

tons of concrete reinforcing steel

14025

pieces of custom carpet tiles

129

total doors

1012

panes of glass

Long-term impact

*Estimated total Elevate capital expansion improvements.

Considered one the top 12 transformational projects that could reshape West Michigan’s ability to attract visitors, new residents, and employers.

OUR WHOLEcommunity ISTAKING OFF.