The Crossville City Council will hold a special meeting on Thursday, September 25, 2026, to discuss and vote on two main items: approvals for a new commercial development project and a state grant for airport maintenance.

The meeting will take place in Conference Room 317 at City Hall, 392 North Main Street. Mayor R.J. Crawford is expected to lead the meeting. Other officials listed include Council Members Art Gernt, Mike Turner and Mark A. Fox, City Manager Valerie Hale and City Clerk Baylee Rhea. The agenda includes public comment before the council takes action.

Commercial Development Project

The first item involves the Commercial Development District for a retail project called Crossville Commons, located at Exit 320 on Interstate 40.

To support the project, the Cumberland County Industrial Development Board is working with SmartBank on $15 million in loans:

• – $10.2 million for the main development
• – $4.8 million to build an extension of Interstate Drive, a public road into the site

These loans would mainly be repaid with extra sales tax money generated by the new businesses in the district. A $1.4 million reserve fund held by the Industrial Development Board would serve as a backup.

The city is being asked to approve an agreement that could help cover any shortfalls only on the $4.8 million road loan—and only after the sales tax money and reserve fund have been used. Any decision to provide that money would still require a separate vote by the City Council each year. The agreement does not create a permanent city debt or force future councils to pay. If the city does help cover a shortfall, it could later get that money back from extra sales tax revenue.

A related document would give SmartBank the right to step into the Industrial Development Board’s place under the agreement for the road loan only. The city would simply acknowledge this arrangement without taking on any bigger obligations.

Airport Maintenance Grant

The second item is approval of a $20,000 state grant for regular upkeep of the city airport in fiscal year 2027 (July 2026 through June 2027).

The city would need to put up a small local match of about $1,053 (5 percent). The money can be used for things like building and equipment repairs, mowing, signs, lighting and other basic maintenance. It cannot be used for fuel, food, utilities, office supplies or vehicles.

The grant is a reimbursement program, meaning the city spends the money first and then gets paid back by the state after submitting invoices.

Residents will have a chance to speak during the public comment portion before the council votes on either item.