Would Be Located At Heritage Center Industrial Park

A new airport and other aviation infrastructure has been proposed at the Knoxville, TN Heritage Center Industrial Park. Local officials say they hope the airport will help revitalize the industrial park and increase economic development in the region.

Television station WVLT reports that, according to Knoxville City Manager Mark Watson, Knoxville is the largest city in the state that does not have any kind of GA airport. "It's all about convenience and time of delivery, getting product information, or people to places quicker, better, faster," he said.

Watson believes that an airport would help attract businesses to the industrial park, which could lead to the creation of hundreds, or even thousands of jobs.

The proposed airport would include a 5,000-foot runway and other infrastructure to support small GA airplanes and business jets. The airport project began in 2011 with planning and justification studies and has cleared two hurdles, including approval by the Department of Energy. The city is currently waiting for a go-ahead from the FAA. "The most important thing is patience," Watson said. "It takes a long time for this to scoot through the state and federal system. I think we've been successful."

Once FAA approval is granted, the city will begin to look at funding options. Watson anticipates that the FAA would provide up to 90 percent of the funding through AIP grants.

(Image provided)

FMI: Airport proposal, Source report