'A vital part of the Smyrna community': Smyrna Airport receives $8 million grant to refurbish runway

Plans are moving forward for a new improvement project at Smyrna Airport.

The State of Tennessee Aeronautics Division has awarded Smyrna Airport an $8 million grant for rehabilitation and reconstruction of Runway 1/19, said Mike Woods, chairman of the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority.

“This project is among many development projects planned in our recently approved Airport Master Plan update, which is a comprehensive, 15 to 20-year overall blueprint for Smyrna Airport," Wood said.

The project design is underway with a projected completion date by 2023, if not earlier.

Smyrna Airport has two runways that support air transportation and bolster the economy of the region.

Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority board members, from left, Salil Rai, Graeme Coates, Paul Lamb, Vice Chair Helene Colvin, Chair Mike Woods, Steve Harrison, Jeff Reed and John Black stand on Runway 1/19, which will undergo a rehabilitation project.

In a recent study conducted by TDOT in 2019, Smyrna Airport generated a $232 million economic impact on the local economy.

“Having a dual runway system increases the safety and efficiency of the airport," said John Black, executive director of the facility.

The target market for Smyrna Airport is corporate aviation which is a major driver for industry, Black said. Having an airport the size of Smyrna is often a key factor in businesses locating to our community, Black said.

"The Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport is a vital part of the Smyrna community and an economic driver for our region," Smyrna Town Manager Brian Hercules said.

Corporate customers like the ease of access, runway length , customer service offered and other amenities such as the air traffic control tower, instrument landing system and a 24 hour public safety department.

Today the 1,700-acre facility is the third-largest airport in Tennessee and the busiest general aviation airport in the state.

This is not the first improvement project at the airport.

"Since 1991, over $200M have been invested in the airport through local, federal and private investment,” said Helene Colvin, vice chairman of the S/RCAA.

Although the airport serves as a hub for economic growth, the complex was originally home to the Army Air Force Combat Crew School, which trained troops to fly the B-24 and B-17 aircraft.

The base was deactivated at the end of World War II and reactivated in 1948 by the newly-organized United States Air Force.

Smyrna Airport, which became known as Sewart Air Force Base in 1950, served various Troop Carrier Wings until 1970 when the base was again deactivated and transferred to a civilian operation. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority assumed control.

On May 15, 1991, the property was transferred to the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority.

A variety of aviation services are offered, as well as flight training. The airport hosts the Great Tennessee Air Show every two years.

— Daily News Journal 11/3/2021