New hangar to create hundreds of jobs, build on year-long campaign to secure mission at Selfridge   

HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Monday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined federal, state, and local leaders to break ground on a new 41,900-square-foot facility that will transform two hangars into a new hangar equipped for fighter maintenance. The new facility will house maintenance on the main level and leadership/staff offices and classrooms on the second floor. 

“This new hangar will create hundreds of good-paying jobs and shore up Selfridge’s military readiness,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “We have been working with bipartisan and private sector partners to make more investments in Selfridge by making critical infrastructure upgrades, and we will keep fighting to bring home a new fighter mission. Selfridge is an anchor of Macomb County and an economic driver for Michigan’s defense industry. Let’s keep working together for Selfridge.”   

Selfridge is a Joint Military Community housing four thousand families from all branches. In 2021, Sen. Gary Peters secured $28 million for a new development at Selfridge that would equip Michigan with the tools to be the ideal location for the next future fighter mission.    

“We are grateful to Gov. Whitmer, Senator Peters, and our federal and state delegation for their leadership and for working with us to continue to invest in Selfridge Air National Guard Base (SANG),” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “This investment clearly demonstrates Michigan’s commitment to SANG, its support for developing future capabilities and advancing innovation and delivering on our mission to maintain our military readiness and support our national defense.”  

“Today’s visit shows our delegation’s united, bipartisan support of – and staunch commitment to – the future of Selfridge Air National Guard Base,” said U.S Sen. Gary Peters, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. “It was exciting to participate in the groundbreaking for the new hangar and accompanying maintenance facilities, after securing $28 million in federal funding to make the upgrades possible. I’m proud knowing this investment will help advance Selfridge’s defense capabilities and capacity to host a new fighter jet mission.”   

“Selfridge Air National Guard Base and the men and women who serve here play a vital role in keeping our state and our nation safe. Today’s groundbreaking is yet another example of our delegation’s continued strategy to position Selfridge into the future,” said U.S Sen. Debbie Stabenow. “We are fully committed to securing a new fighter mission at Selfridge.”   

“Michigan’s state and federal leaders are united behind ensuring Selfridge’s mission-ready status,” said U.S Rep. Hillary Scholten (MI-3). “Our state is home to one of our nation’s most cutting-edge air national guard bases, and the hangar we broke ground on today will only cement that status. West Michigan supports the critical work of our service members and is committed to leading future fighter missions here at Selfridge.”   

“Selfridge Air National Guard Base is critical to our national security because of its strategic location on our border, and it has broad bipartisan support across our Congressional delegation and at all levels of government,” said U.S Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-6). “We remain unified in our commitment to securing federal investments to support advanced generation fighter capability in Michigan. The groundbreaking today is another important step in our continued efforts to ensure the Air Force can benefit from all of Selfridge’s unique capabilities.” 

"I'm proud of Michigan's commitment to national defense and military, said U.S Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13). “The new fighter jet hangar at Selfridge Air National Guard Base is a testament to our unwavering support. As a member of the Michigan delegation, I'll continue to secure critical military investments for our state and support our brave men and women in uniform."   

Selfridge Background 

Selfridge, an ideal training space, provides access to the largest military airspace complex east of the Mississippi River, hosts units from every component of the U.S. military, is located on an international border, and is joint-integrated with the National All-Domain Warfighting Center. Launched in Governor Whitmer’s first term, Selfridge’s Kelly Johnson Joint All-Domain Innovation Center leverages Michigan’s research universities, booming defense industry, and engineering, cyber, and technological expertise to provide a premier venue for collaboration in direct support of the National Defense Strategy.    

Economically, Selfridge boasts an estimated $850 million in economic impact state-wide, affecting approximately 5,000 military and civilian support personnel. Selfridge is anchored with a strong and vibrant Base Community Council that strengthens the relationship between Southeast Michigan’s civilian and military communities.   

Investing in Selfridge Infrastructure 

Last year’s bipartisan, balanced budget that Governor Whitmer signed into law included a $6.1 million investment in the base to upgrade critical infrastructure. In her budget proposal this year, the Governor recommended an additional $11 million investment in Selfridge. The infrastructure investments into Selfridge secured and proposed by Governor Whitmer and bipartisan allies in the Michigan Legislature would reduce costs for the U.S. Air Force by $100 million.   

Fighting for Selfridge Mission 

Governor Whitmer and a bipartisan group of allies and private sector partners has spent more the last year making the case for additional U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) investments in Michigan. This includes replacing the current A-10 fighter mission at Selfridge.    

The Governor has maintained close contact with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and his team and is working with Republicans and Democrats in the Michigan Congressional Delegation and Selfridge community on this important issue. Michigan hosted the Secretary during two separate visits last summer showcasing the state as a premier destination for Air Force and DoD investment. The Governor also met virtually and in person with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks to continue advocating for a fighter jet replacement for Selfridge’s A-10s.    

Michigan’s International Defense Impact 

Earlier this month, Governor Whitmer visited Michigan service members stationed in Latvia. Michigan’s defense presence has an impact around the world and must be secure in state to support international missions.   

Peters, Stabenow Join Federal, State & Local Officials at Selfridge Air National Guard Base to Participate in Groundbreaking of New Hangar 

Peters Secured $28 Million for Hangar Through His Role on the Senate Armed Services Committee

HARRISON TOWNSHIP, MI – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) joined Governor Gretchen Whitmer along with federal, state, and local officials from the Michigan delegation at Selfridge Air National Guard Base to discuss securing a new fighter jet mission and participate in the groundbreaking of a new aircraft hangar. The new hangar, and accompanying maintenance facilities, was made possible by $28 million in federal funding Peters secured through his role on the Senate Armed Services Committee. The new 41,900-square-foot facility will transform two hangars into a new hangar equipped for fighter maintenance. The new facility will house maintenance on the main level and leadership/staff offices and classrooms on the second floor. 

“Today’s visit shows our delegation’s united, bipartisan support of – and staunch commitment to – the future of Selfridge Air National Guard Base,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. “It was exciting to participate in the groundbreaking for the new hangar and accompanying maintenance facilities, after securing $28 million in federal funding to make the upgrades possible. I’m proud knowing this investment will help advance Selfridge’s defense capabilities and capacity to host a new fighter jet mission.” 

“Selfridge Air National Guard Base and the men and women who serve here play a vital role in keeping our state and our nation safe. Today’s groundbreaking is yet another example of our delegation’s continued strategy to position Selfridge into the future,” said Senator Stabenow. “We are fully committed to securing a new fighter mission at Selfridge.” 

Peters recently convened a bipartisan, bicameral meeting with Stabenow, the Michigan congressional delegation, and U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to continue to push for a new, long-term fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. This meeting came after the Senators led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Secretary Kendall calling for a new fighter mission at Selfridge. Peters, Stabenow, and the delegation have also introduced companion resolutions in the Senate and House to highlight the contributions of Selfridge.

Peters and Stabenow additionally previously secured significant commitments from the Department of Defense, including a pledge that Selfridge will continue to play a “critical and ongoing role for our national security.” 

Selfridge supports approximately 5,000 military and civilian jobs and generates an estimated $850 million in economic impact statewide.

###