State Pledges $7 Million for Michigan Drone Park in Battle Creek: MICH-AIR

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Battle Creek Unlimited Secures $7M Appropriation for Michigan Drone Park

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) has closed a $7 million appropriation in Michigan’s 2024 state budget signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on July 31st. This funding will be leveraged to support the development of MICH-AIR, an advanced air mobility park at the Battle Creek Executive Airport (BTL). The airport has roughly 200 acres of land available for development, making it the perfect site for drone operations.

BTL is home to aviation companies such as Duncan Aviation and WACO Aerospace, as well as the Michigan Air National Guard’s 110th Wing, which currently has a remote drone operation. Also based at BTL is Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation, which offers degree programs in aircraft operations, aircraft maintenance, and airport operations. The airport is also adjacent to the 3,000-acre Fort Custer…