The Upper Cumberland Regional Airport Board applying for an estimated $1.5 million grant to create additional terminal space.
Airport Director Dean Selby said the proposed project would convert Hangar Two into a new terminal. Selby said the conversion would create an additional 12,000 square feet in space.
“We’ve vastly outgrown the 5,000 square foot terminal that we are in now, and we are even, at times, you turn so many aircraft here that we have passengers waiting outside because there is not room in here for the,” Selby said.
Selby said the added space would allow business partners to expand their services. Selby said the grant would not cover the entire cost of the project but would be a big help.
“This is such a big project for our airport that we are going to have to do it in multiple phases to be able to get it complete and make it make financial sense,” Selby said.
Selby said the first phase of the project would consist of renovating the downstairs area and some exterior buildouts. Selby said Hangar Two is in good shape, and a terminal would be a great way to repurpose the building. Selby said this project has been on the airport’s capital improvement plan for a few years.
“The engineering was already paid for through the airport funding through local revenue that is generated at the airport,” Selby said. “And so we hope we have a shovel-ready project to be able to present to them is the intended goal.”
The grant is through the Appalachian Regional Commission. Selby said this is the pre-application period and expects to hear back to see if they make it to the next round of applications in April. Selby said he is feeling optimistic that the airport’s application will make it through to the next round.