Greeneville, Tennessee, September 14, 2025
News Summary
The Greeneville City Council will consider a $33,342 local match request to help fund a roughly $1.3 million box hangar at the municipal airport. Grant funding will cover most costs, but some dollars are set to expire and the construction bid must be awarded before the bid deadline, creating urgency. If approved, construction would begin this fall with completion expected in spring. The council agenda also includes potential changes to the town’s property tax relief match, a library sewer change order, and a special event permit. Recent airport updates include rate increases, facility upgrades and wildlife deterrent measures.
Greeneville Council to Vote on $33,342 Match for $1.3M Airport Hangar; Meeting Set for Tuesday
The Greeneville City Council will consider providing $33,342 in local match funds to support grants already awarded to the Greeneville Municipal Airport for construction of a new hangar. The council meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Tuesday in the G. Thomas Love Boardroom at the Greeneville Energy Authority building, 110 N. College St.
Why the match matters and timing
The proposed hangar has a total estimated cost of about $1.3 million, with the vast majority to be covered by grant funds. Airport officials have warned some grant dollars are set to expire soon, and moving forward with the project would prevent the loss of roughly $150,000 in grant funding. The work has already been bid and the bid must be awarded before it expires on September 23, 2025. If the council approves the requested match, construction is slated to begin this fall with project close-out the following spring. The local share would represent about a 5% match of the total project.
Other items on the council agenda
The council will also consider increasing the town’s contribution to the State of Tennessee Property Tax Relief program. The program had 235 participants last tax year. Currently the town matches 50% of state relief but the state’s per-person contribution has dropped; for 2025 the state benefit for elderly applicants was reduced to $107 from $136 in 2024. Under a 50% local match for 2025, total relief per qualified taxpayer would fall to $161 from the previous total of $204. The town finance director recommends increasing the local match to 100%, which would raise the total relief to about $214 and cost the town an additional $9,165 in local funds. Greene County plans to match at 100% again this year.
Additional council business includes consideration of a $18,217 change order for an ongoing sewer repair project at the Greeneville-Greene County Library and a special event application from the Greene County Partnership for a Hurricane Helene Remembrance Anniversary event planned for 6 p.m. Sept. 29 on a section of Main Street.
Airport authority actions and revenue moves
At a recent airport authority meeting, board members unanimously approved a 15% increase in monthly T-hangar lease rates and a similar increase for office leases. The old hangar rates were $155, $175 and $225 per month and have been raised to $180, $200 and $260. Office rates moved from $60, $115 and $150 to $70, $135 and $175 per month. The hikes are estimated to generate just over $26,000 in additional annual revenue for the airport.
Board members noted hangar leases are only one part of airport revenue and signaled plans to review rates again in a year. The board also approved a revised lease document intended to ensure hangars are used to store working, airworthy aircraft rather than general storage. That lease update passed on a 4-1 vote, with one board member voting against final approval and asking for confirmation about the applicability of the state code cited in the document before full implementation.
Safety, facilities, and community events
Wildlife safety concerns at the airport were resolved after a female black bear and cubs were removed from airport grounds. The bear had been attracted to a small protected wetland inside the airport fence and was capable of scaling the property’s 8-foot fence. State wildlife officers installed motion-activated sirens as a non-lethal deterrent, and the bear has not been spotted in several weeks.
The airport approved a small 40-by-10-foot “doghouse” addition to a private hangar at no cost to the airport so that the tenant’s largest plane—about 5 feet too long for the existing hangar—can be accommodated. A brief runway maintenance closure is planned for Sept. 3 from 5 p.m. to midnight, and the annual Wings and Wheels event is scheduled for Sept. 27.
Recent and planned facility upgrades
Numerous improvements were completed or funded recently. A new pilot lounge was created by converting a small office and flight planning room at a cost of about $3,500 and includes two recliners, a TV, laptop access, Wi-Fi and charging. Three mini-split heating and cooling units were installed through a federal coronavirus response grant worth $13,000. A new roof on the FBO building was completed for $29,000 using American Rescue Plan funds; the previous roof dated to 1969 and showed water damage and poor insulation. New welcome signage has been added, and further work is planned on runway-end signs and apron repaving so that, once complete, all pavement and tarmac will be less than three years old.
The airport’s Federal Aviation Administration designation changed from local to regional, increasing the facility’s eligibility for federal grants. The new designation makes the airport eligible for up to $295,000 over five years, compared with about $155,000 previously.
Community programs
The airport supports a variety of community programs and events, including the upcoming third annual 5K on the Runway hosted by the Greeneville Civil Air Patrol Squadron TN-015, set for Saturday, Nov. 12. Registration details are available online and on race day, with preregistration at $25 and race-day registration at $35.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the council voting on regarding the airport?
The council will consider providing $33,342 in matching funds for grant-supported construction of a new $1.3 million hangar at Greeneville Municipal Airport.
When and where is the council meeting?
The meeting is at 4 p.m. on Tuesday in the G. Thomas Love Boardroom at the Greeneville Energy Authority building, 110 N. College St.
Why is quick action needed on the hangar project?
Some grant funds are due to expire soon, and proceeding now would prevent the loss of about $150,000 in grant dollars. The project bid also expires on September 23, 2025.
How will hangar and office rate increases affect airport revenue?
Hangar and office rate hikes of about 15% are projected to generate a little over $26,000 in additional annual revenue. Rates were last raised in 2021 and will be reviewed again in one year.
What safety actions were taken because of the bear?
State wildlife officers installed motion-activated sirens as a non-lethal deterrent, after which the bear and cubs left the airport grounds.
What facility upgrades were completed recently?
Improvements include a new pilot lounge ($3,500), three mini-split HVAC units funded by a $13,000 federal grant, and a new FBO roof paid with $29,000 in ARP funds, along with new signage and planned paving projects.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Council meeting | 4 p.m. Tuesday, G. Thomas Love Boardroom, 110 N. College St. |
| Hangar match request | $33,342 match for $1.3M hangar; prevents loss of ~$150,000 in grants |
| Property tax relief change | Recommend 100% town match; additional cost ~$9,165; increases benefit to $214 |
| Hangar lease rates | Raised 15% to $180 / $200 / $260 monthly; office rates also raised |
| Annual revenue impact | About $26,000 additional per year from rate hikes |
| Bear issue | Bear and cubs removed after motion-activated sirens deployed; no recent sightings |
| Facility upgrades | Pilot lounge ($3,500), HVAC ($13,000 grant), new roof ($29,000 ARP), signage, paving |
| FAA designation | Changed from local to regional; increases available grant eligibility to ~$295,000 over five years |
| Events | Wings and Wheels Sept. 27; runway maintenance Sept. 3 (5 p.m.–midnight); 5K on Nov. 12 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Greeneville Sun: Greeneville City Council to consider $33,342 match for $1.3 million airport hangar
- Wikipedia: Greeneville, Tennessee
- WGRV: Greeneville City Council to address hangar and sewer projects, tax relief program and upcoming events
- Google Search: Greeneville Municipal Airport hangar
- Greeneville Sun: Airport Authority board approves new hangar lease rates
- Google Scholar: airport hangar lease rates
- Greeneville Sun: Black bear and cubs cleared from Greeneville Airport grounds
- Encyclopedia Britannica: black bear
- Greeneville Sun: Greeneville Airport shows off improvements
- Google News: Greeneville Municipal Airport
Author: Construction NY News
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructionnynews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the New York Build Expo, infrastructure breakthroughs, and cutting-edge construction technology showcases. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Associated General Contractors of New York State and the Building Trades Employers' Association, plus leading businesses in construction and real estate that power the local economy such as Turner Construction Company and CMiC Global. As part of the broader network, including constructioncanews.com, constructiontxnews.com, and constructionflnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic construction landscape across multiple states.
