State Representative Ron Robinson has announced that $152 million in state funding will be directed toward building new runways at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. This investment is intended to support the arrival of 21 Boeing F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets, which will replace the base’s aging A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft.
The decision to assign a new fighter jet mission to Selfridge was made public by President Trump in April. The move is expected to benefit 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 accommodate the incoming jets, Selfridge must construct new runways, hangars, and other facilities. The current infrastructure was built for smaller aircraft and does not meet the requirements of the larger F-15EX jets. Planned upgrades include extending the runway, realigning lighting and taxiways, and adjusting flight paths to improve safety for nearby residential areas. Additional improvements such as training facilities, weapons storage, and expanded support infrastructure are also planned.
Robinson joined Speaker Matt Hall in announcing that he had introduced a bill providing supplemental funding for these projects. The legislation passed in the House with bipartisan support.
Speaker Hall commented during a press conference that Michigan cannot afford “to wait on federal bureaucracy or Congress to get this done” and highlighted collaboration between House Republicans and the Trump administration on expediting 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 now moves to the state Senate for further consideration.
