The Wilson Post
LEBANON WEATHER

County, municipalities, JECDB recognized for teamwork

GNRC cites work on Lebanon airport expansion


From left, Lebanon Municipal Airport Fixed Base Operator Heather Bay, Lebanon Airport Commission Chairman T.O. Cragwall, Lebanon Mayor Bernie Ash, Lebanon Public Works Commissioner Jeff Baines, Lebanon Mayoral Assistant Debbie Jessen and Lebanon Engineering Director of Capital Projects Randy Laine.Submitted

From left, Lebanon Municipal Airport Fixed Base Operator Heather Bay, Lebanon Airport Commission Chairman T.O. Cragwall, Lebanon Mayor Bernie Ash, Lebanon Public Works Commissioner Jeff Baines, Lebanon Mayoral Assistant Debbie Jessen and Lebanon Engineering Director of Capital Projects Randy Laine.Submitted

The Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) recently presented the Marshall S. Stuart Award to Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Watertown, Wilson County and the Joint Economic & Community Development Board (JECDB) of Wilson County for their support of intergovernmental cooperation and coordination with the Lebanon Municipal Airport Expansion Initiative.

Since 2009, aviation traffic at the Lebanon Municipal Airport has increased by 400 percent, making it the fourth-largest general aviation airport in Tennessee. Local officials said the airport helps fuel economic growth and support existing industry throughout Wilson County.

At a cost of just under $2 million, airport terminal construction at the airport was completed in May. Lebanon invested $1.6 million and the State of Tennessee Aeronautics Division contributed $350,000 to the project. The new terminal’s 9,600-square-foot, two-story aviation center serves as a gateway to the county and greets many prospective developers as they travel the Southeast looking for new business locations.

“The local governmental entities that make up our Joint Economic & Community Development Board realize the tremendous impact our new terminal will have in providing a modern facility which appeals to upscale investors,” Lebanon Mayor Bernie Ash said. “The Lebanon City Council, airport commission, our public works and economic team, as well as our Fixed Base Operator Heather Bay, continue to improve and expand the services available at our airport. I appreciate GNRC’s recognizing us with this prestigious award.”

Lebanon Municipal Airport is home to aviation operations for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, LoJac/Vulcan Enterprises, Vanderbilt LifeFlight Base 1, Tennova Healthcare, Bridgestone and many other private companies that use the airfield on a daily or weekly basis.

“Wilson County is excited to be a partner in this exciting venture,” Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto said. “Our county is growing at such a tremendous rate, and its appeal to large businesses necessitates such a need for the airport’s expansion. I appreciate all the entities coming together on this project and congratulate everyone on this award and for a job well done.”

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