Work has started on a new agricultural development at Everett-Stewart Regional Airport. Stakes have been posted at the site that will ultimately be used by crop duster pilots serving the area’s farmers.
The Everett-Stewart Regional Airport Board met early today, and although there wasn’t a quorum present for the meeting, those who did make the meeting were given an update on 10 projects under way at the airport.
Curtis Underhill with the Memphis consulting firm Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon briefed board members Dr. Chris Gooch, Jim Bondurant and Kevin McAlpin on the status of the airport projects.
A majority of the airport projects are currently in closeout phase, including a taxilane connector, drainage improvements to the runway, work on a new multiple-unit hangar, work on the airport layout plan and the removal of an underground storage tank.
Work on several other projects is in the preliminary phase, including electrical repair work planned to the airport’s runway lighting, repair work to the floor of one of the airport’s hangars, a runway sealing project and an 80-foot-by-80-foot hangar addition project.
Also during this morning’s 15-minute meeting, the airport board was given an update on this weekend’s Airport Expo by airport manager Jo Ann Speer. A rainy weather forecast for Saturday may force organizers to reschedule the event to Sunday afternoon, she told the board.
“We will make a decision Saturday morning,” Mrs. Speer said
The planned expo will feature a variety of activities, including a business expo, exhibits, children’s activities and a live band — Buck Sixx.
“We’re very excited about the band that’s going to be here,” Mrs. Speer said.
The local airport continues to be one of the county’s most active sites in terms of growth and programming.
In addition to this weekend’s planned expo, the local airport will be hosting the Tennessee Aviation Association on Tuesday. It will be the first time the organization has met in Obion County. The meeting will involve airport officials from across the state.
Mrs. Speer also updated the board on her plans to compete in the upcoming Air Race Classic and announced that the airport’s 2013-14 budget has been approved by the Obion County budget committee.
Due to the lack of a quorum, the board couldn’t take any official action at this morning’s meeting. The board did decide to schedule its next meeting for 7 a.m. June 27.
Absent from today’s meeting were board members Stoney Orton, Wayne McCreight, Kay Stegall and Mike Holman.
Staff Reporter Kevin Bowden may be contacted by email at kmbowden@ucmessenger.com.
Published in The Messenger 5.16.13