Governor Bredesen Announces Grant for Charles Baker Airport
Grant awarded through TDOT’s Aeronautics Division

Nashville, TN—Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that an Aeronautics Grant in the amount of $52,500 has been awarded to the Charles Baker Airport in Shelby County to assist with improvements to the facility.
 
“General aviation airports are critical to the economic development of communities across the state,” said Governor Bredesen. “These airports provide quick access for businesses, serve as reliever airports for local flight centers and are important shipping hubs. In order to stay competitive these airports must be kept up to date.”

“Funds from this aeronautics grant will be used for a new weather station at the airport,” said Senator Ophelia Ford. “I am pleased Governor Bredesen and TDOT are making these funds available to Charles Baker Airport.”

“As our airports continue to grow, we need to make sure their technology is kept up to date,” said Representative Barbara Cooper. “Charles Baker Airport is an important asset to this region and I’m pleased to see these funds allocated for this improvement.”

Representative Ron Loller added, “These funds will improve technology at Charles Baker Airport and will help it remain competitive in the field of aviation.”

Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely explained that the grants are made available through the department’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 Nicely. “We are pleased to be able to provide millions of dollars each year for the betterment of our airports through our grant programs.”
 
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.
 
“These grants can have a significant impact on the future of a general aviation airport and its economic contributions to our state," said TAC Chairman Lonnie Strunk. "Our board examines the applications carefully to ensure that the funds 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. General aviation includes all aircraft not flown by commercial airlines or the military. The Aeronautics Division also provides aircraft and related services for state government executives, staffing for the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission, and numerous educational support programs. The division's offices include Administration, Finance & Grant Management, Engineering & Program Development, Flight Services, and Planning & Programming.

The Shelby County delegation also worked to secure these grant funds for the Charles Baker Airport.