State Budgets $11 Million Towards New Airport In Oak Ridge
Image Credit: Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority/ Public Domain
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
Oak Ridge will be the home of a new airport, thanks to an $11 million allotment in the new state budget for the fiscal year 2023.
A press release from the Tennessee Republican Caucus gave credit for the funding to Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge-District 5) and Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston-12).
“I am tremendously grateful for the appropriation of these funds,” McNally said. “The new Oak Ridge airport will be an economic driver ushering in a new era of connectivity for the region. I appreciate everyone who worked to bring this vision to a reality.”
According to the release, “Oak Ridge is becoming a center for innovation, and the new airport will connect it with the rest of the country and support the economic growth of the region.”
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The East Tennessee Technology Park is the location of the new airport.
“With proximity to Interstate 40, Interstate 75, and state Routes 58, 95, and 62, companies are locating at ETTP and investing millions of dollars in advanced energy research and development as well as medical isotope production.”
Recent interest has been shown by Coqui Pharma, a medical isotope company. Officials have used this to serve as an example of the types of business that may be brought in by the airport.
While the airport will be available for general aviation aircraft, it will not deal in any commercial flights.
“The Oak Ridge corridor is an expanding hub for innovation and an airport is needed to fully realize its potential,” Yager said. “This project will be huge for the economic success of the region. I’m grateful for the support and collaboration of Gov. Lee, Lt. Gov. McNally, and my Senate colleagues on ensuring this appropriation is included in the budget.”
The news release noted that the entire project will cost approximately $55 million. Funding will come from a number of different local and federal sources. The $11 million in state funding will contribute to the purchasing of private property this year, which must be done in order to move forward with site preparation and pre-construction planning.
Officials are currently working on an Environmental Assessment and Preliminary Engineering study and making additional steps towards planning.
It is anticipated that the airport will be completed and that planes will be flying in 2025.
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
Why does Oak Ridge need an air port when we have one just south of Knoxville that’s not busy?
The Oak Ridge airport will serve general aviation aircraft and not commercial carriers. Think about private jets flying in carrying executives from DOE contractors, vendors etc.