NEW LEGISLATION EXPANDS POWERS FOR UPPER CUMBERLAND REGIONAL AIRPORT TO BOOST GROWTH AND POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS
A newly enacted state law is paving the way for significant growth at the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport. Sponsored by Senator Paul Bailey and carried in the House by State Representative Paul Sherrell, the legislation grants the airport’s joint operating board enhanced tools to finance improvements, develop facilities, and pursue new opportunities—including the potential addition of commercial flights.
Key Highlights of the New Law
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Expanded Financing and Development: The legislation provides the airport’s joint board with the combined powers, rights, duties, and privileges of both standard municipal/county airports and regional airport authorities.
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Corporate Status: The joint board is formally clarified as a public instrumentality and a public body corporate and politic, with the ability to file a charter with the secretary of state as a public nonprofit corporation.
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Protected Governance: To safeguard vital federal funding, the airport’s current governing structure—including board composition and members’ terms of office—will remain strictly governed by the original interlocal agreement established by its two participating municipalities and two counties.
The bill received unanimous support from lawmakers in the Senate. Local leaders hope the upgraded capabilities will accelerate economic development across the Upper Cumberland region.
