Governor Bredesen Announces $23.9 million in Aeronautics Grants
Grants awarded through TDOT’s Aeronautics Division to 15 Tennessee Airports

Nashville, TN—Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that Aeronautics Grants totaling $23,988,195 have been approved for 15 Tennessee airports.

“As communities grow and thrive, it becomes increasingly important that our airports stay competitive and efficient at meeting the needs of travelers,” 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:

Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (Lovell Field), Nashville International Airport, Beech River Regional Airport, Cleveland Municipal Airport, Covington Municipal Airport, Crossville Municipal Airport, Everett-Stewart Regional Airport, Hardwick Field, Jamestown Municipal Airport, Lebanon Municipal Airport, McMinn County Airport, Millington Regional Jetport, Portland Municipal Airport, Sumner County Regional Airport, Upper Cumberland Regional Airport and Winchester Municipal Airport.

To view information on individual grant awards, 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 Belinda Anderson 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.