State Rep. Ron Robinson announced a plan today to provide $152 million in state funding for new runways at Selfridge Air National Guard Base that will make housing of new F-15EX fighter jets possible.

In April, President Trump announced that the base at Selfridge had been selected for a new fighter jet mission, replacing aging A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft with 21 Boeing F-15EX Eagle II jets, a mission that presents a great boost for Michigan’s workforce and economy.

“No matter what side of the aisle you’re on, this was a win for Michigan,” Robinson said. “The mission protected thousands of military and civilian jobs and will help sustain an estimated $850 million in annual economic impact.”

To house the new jets, however, Selfridge must build new runways, hangars and other major facilities to support the incoming jets and mission transition. The base’s existing infrastructure was designed for the smaller A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft that are being retired, so new construction is needed to house, maintain, and support the larger, next-generation jets.

Selfridge planners are designing a runway shift and associated airfield improvements to safely accommodate the larger and more modern aircraft like the F-15EX fighter jets, including extending the runway, realigning lighting and taxiways, and creating a safer flight corridor away from nearby residential areas.

Additional enhancements, such as training facilities, weapons storage, and support infrastructure, are also part of the build-out to ensure the base can operate its expanded fighter and refueling missions effectively.

Today, the representative joined Speaker Hall in announcing he had put forth a bill, approved today by the House, that provides a $152 million supplemental investment to aid in the necessary improvements at the base.

Speaker Matt Hall said during the press conference that state of Michigan can’t afford “to wait on federal bureaucracy or Congress to get this done” and that House Republicans have worked closely with the Trump administration about how the state can help expedite the project.

“I want to thank Speaker Hall for his due diligence on this,” Robinson said. “This is an exciting time for Selfridge and Macomb County that is going to affect the entire state in a positive way.”

The measure was approved with bipartisan support and now moves to be considered by the state Senate.