Duncan delivers big check for airport

RYAN HARRIS
THE DAILY POST ATHENIAN
JULY 6, 2005

While riding in a Ford Explorer over the rough terrain which will soon become an expanded runway at the McMinn County Airport, U.S. Rep. John Duncan made a prediction.

"I think there is going to be a lot of activity out here before it's said and done," Duncan said. "You are going to see a lot of growth in this county."

Duncan helped spur that growth by presenting a $1.9 million check to McMinn County officials on Tuesday, which will be used to complete a $5 million upgrade at the airport.

The other $3 million will be channeled through the state.

Bob Woods, the director of aeronautics for the Tennessee Department of Transportation, was also in McMinn County on Tuesday. He said the improvements at the airport will make the facility one of the state's best.

"For general aviation airports, this is one of the most complex series of projects we've seen," Woods said. "There are seven or eight major pieces that had to come together to get where we are now."

The airport improvements include lengthening the runway to 5,500 feet. At one area of the airport, the runway will actually be 6,500 feet.

Presently, the runway is 5,000 feet long.

The runway width will also be increased from 75 feet to 100 feet.

Space for taxiways and hangars will also be added at the runway. Many of the improvements will increase the safety of the airport, officials said.

The upgraded airport will far exceed the needs of most corporations, which require at least 5,000 feet of landing space for insurance purposes, Woods said.

"I doubt you will ever need more runway to continue economic development," Woods told local officials.

McMinn County's airport has already helped land several major industries, officials said.

Waupaca Foundry in Etowah, a producer of metal castings, is one of the McMinn County Airport's largest customers. Officials from the foundry frequently fly between McMinn County and the company's headquarters in Wisconsin.

Etowah City Manager John Solsbee hopes the addition at the McMinn County Airport spurs an industry expansion which would double the 550-member work force at the local Waupaca plant.

"There is no question that the final deal with Waupaca was done at this airport," Solsbee said. "Anytime you've got an airport in this day and age, you've got a leg up on anyone that doesn't."

The airport also draws representatives from Bowater, even though the Calhoun paper mill is located closer to Hardwick Field airport in Cleveland.

But because of a longstanding issues with a short runway at the Cleveland airport, Bowater uses the McMinn County facility.

"This kind of thing keeps our people in McMinn County, which is where our tax base is," said Calhoun Mayor George Harribson.

Rodney Fitzgerald, project manager for TDOT's aeronautics division, agreed general aviation airports play a role in economic development. With the expansion at the airport, and a terminal which he described as the best in the state, Fitzgerald said McMinn County should be poised for growth.

McMinn County Mayor John Gentry agreed.

"This truly is the front door to our community," Gentry said. "And our front door is getting bigger."