Governor Bredesen Announces $19.4 million in Aeronautics Grants

NASHVILLE - Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that Aeronautics Grants totaling $19,400,181 have been approved for 20 Tennessee airports.

 

"As our communities continue to grow and thrive, it becomes increasingly important that our airports stay competitive and efficient at meeting the needs of the travelers who use them," said Bredesen. "These airports are vital to area economies and travel systems, and I'm pleased to support their continued growth."

Airports receiving grants are:

 

Humphreys County Airport, Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, McGhee Tyson Airport, Nashville International Airport, Tri-Cities Regional Airport, Whitehurst Field, Centerville Municipal Airport, Covington Municipal Airport, General DeWitt Spain Airport, John C. Tune Airport, Portland Municipal Airport, Savannah-Hardin County Airport, Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport, Winchester Municipal Airport, Ellington Airport, New Tazewell Airport, Springfield-Robertson County Airport, Centerville Municipal Airport, Everett Stewart Airport, and Greeneville-Greene County Airport.

 

To view information on each grant award, please go to www.tennessee.gov/tdot/news.

 

The grants are made available through the Tennessee Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division.

 

"This division administers federal and state funding to assist in the location, design, construction and maintenance of Tennessee's diverse public aviation system," reported TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely.  "These grant programs provide millions of dollars each year to local airports for needed improvements."

 

Except for routine expenditures, grant applications are reviewed by the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission (TAC), which is a five member board charged with policy planning and with regulating changes in the state airport system plan.

 

TAC Chair Larry Mullin explained, "Our board examines the applications carefully to ensure that the proper state and local matching funds are in place and that the grants will be put to good use."   

 

The TDOT Aeronautics Division has the responsibility of inspecting and licensing the state's 126 heliports and 75 public/general aviation airports. The Division also provides aircraft and related services for state government and staffing for the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission.