Business is soaring at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport

President & CEO Tory Richardson shares how growth at GRR reflects a healthy, vibrant community. The fastest growing airport in the state is our very own Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR). Last September, GRR named a new CEO and president, Tory Richardson. Recently, we talked to him about his background and what’s developing at the airport. Fascinated with airplanes since boyhood Growing up, Tory was always fascinated with airplanes. “My father was in the Navy, and he worked on airplanes,” he said. “I was always looking up at them, going to air shows and getting a peek at what they do. I thought, ‘That's really cool. I want to fly.’” He did learn to fly, starting in high school. Later, at the University of Dubuque, he majored in aviation management with a minor in flight operations. After getting his pilot's license, Tory discovered the management side of aviation. It’s a career path that’s taken him all around the Midwest, and he finds it very rewarding. Growth follows need Growth at GRR has been steady in recent years. “We finished last year up about 10% over the year before, which was 16% growth from the year prior to that,” Tory said. “We are the fastest growing airport in Michigan.” The strategy for growth focuses on local needs. “We find out as much as we can about our community, the businesses and the residents to know where they want to go and where it makes sense for them to go,” Tory said. For instance, service from Grand Rapids to Boston will be added later this year because planners discovered that a company needed it. “They have a business-to-business relationship that is such that they need to move people and packages back and forth between those markets,” Tory explained. After identifying a need, a search begins. “We start working with airlines to see who's the right partner fit for this based on their growth strategy, where they have airplanes and crews, and things like that.” Tony said. “It's a constantly evolving effort around air service development.” Leisure travel to warm places like Phoenix, Miami, and Jacksonville, also drives growth. “We're getting folks further north of Grand Rapids, even to the center of the state and down to the south all coming in here because we provide service to those sun and fun places that they like to go,” said Tory. You may be using the airport without realizing it “Do you shop online? Do you get mail? Do you get packages delivered at your door?” Tory asks. A lot of your packages travel in the bellies of the airplanes, either passenger carriers or FedEx and UPS cargo service. In fact, 91 million pounds of cargo was processed at GRR in 2018, a 3% increase over the year before. A $400 million investment for growth One of Tory’s biggest challenges is staying in front of growth. “We are literally investing millions of dollars,” he said. Over the next several years, $400 million will be invested to grow GRR. The goal is not to increase the footprint, but to continue being an economic engine for the region. In addition to employing over 2,000 people, GRR produces $3.1 billion of economic output each year. Tory said, “The first few months in Grand Rapids have been a whirlwind, but it’s been great landing here. We have a lot of exciting things going on and a very vibrant community!” Listen to our full interview with Tory from our Money I’m Home podcast here. To discover practical tips and tricks to take control of your financial and physical health, subscribe to Money, I’m Home on Apple podcasts, the Google Play store, Libsyn or ask Alexa, “Play the Money, I’m Home podcast.” Do you have business banking questions? Contact our knowledgeable business development managers or call 800-991-2221. We’re here to help grow your business! Federally insured by NCUA