Community Invited to Vote Daily Through Oct. 6
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., September 8, 2025 – The Gerald R. Ford International Airport has been named a reader’s choice finalist for the best small airport by USA TODAY.
The public is invited to cast one vote per person, per day https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-small-airport/. The voting period will be open from Monday, Sept. 8 at 12:00 p.m. until Monday, Oct. 6 at 11:59 a.m. The USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards highlight top-notch attractions and businesses, providing readers with trusted recommendations. The top ten winners, as ranked by USA TODAY 10Best readers, will be announced on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Nominees for the 10Best are chosen by a panel of relevant experts, including editors from USA TODAY and 10Best.com, expert contributors and industry sources. 10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel content of top attractions, things to see and do and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
“We are honored to once again be selected as a reader’s choice finalist for best small airport in 2025,” said Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority President and CEO Tory Richardson. “From our continued infrastructure investments to our growing list of nonstop destinations, we are proud to serve as West Michigan’s gateway to the world and committed to enhancing the guest experience.
“We are grateful to our team, partners, and community for making this nomination possible. To help us reach the #1 spot for best small airport, please vote online each day for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport!”
Surpassing a record-breaking number of 4 million passengers in 2024, Ford International Airport is investing more than $750 million in critical assets through its capital expansion campaign, ELEVATE. This historic investment in West Michigan’s transportation infrastructure includes six projects aimed at supporting passenger growth and the overall economic health of the region:
- Expansion and widening of Concourse A which added 155,000 square feet of space, including eight new gates, five additional restaurants and enhanced amenities.
- A federal inspection station to support nonstop international commercial passenger flights
- Relocation of the air traffic control tower to make space for diverse terminal-area developments
- Michigan’s first consolidated rental car facility
- Expansion of the terminal curb front
- Construction of an additional parking garage
About the Gerald R. Ford International Airport
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is Michigan's second-busiest airport, serving more than four million passengers annually with eight commercial airline partners offering nonstop flights to over 35 destinations. Managed and operated by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, the airport supports over 40,000 jobs in the region and contributes more than $7 billion to the local economy each year. For more information, visit flyford.org or follow the airport on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram @FlyGRFord.
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