TDOT grant will benefit local airport

The Shelbyville Municipal Airport has been awarded an Aeronautics Grant in the amount of $40,500 to assist with improvements to that facility.

Gov. Phil Bredesen made the announcement earlier this week.

"General aviation airports are critical to the economic development of communities across the state," said 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 Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Tracy. "I am pleased Gov. Bredesen and TDOT are making these funds available for improvements at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport."

"As our airports continue to grow, we need to make sure their technology is kept up to date," said Rep. Curt Cobb. "Shelbyville Municipal Airport is an important asset to this region and I'm pleased to see these funds allocated for this improvement."

Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) 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."

In other grant news, a motion will be before the Shelbyville City Council next Thursday to authorize the mayor to write a letter to the TDOT-Aeronautics Division requesting the balance of Vision 100 monies in the amount of $300,000 to assist in completing the construction of the new airport maintenance hanger.