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Leaders celebrate rebuilt runway at airport

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McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport had a party on Tuesday as they cut the ribbon on the newly-constructed runway, but that party is just one in a series that's already started for the facility.

Airport Executive Director Steve Smith and his assistant director Cindy Melton made a presentation to the Madison County Commission's budget committee earlier this month to let them know what all is going on.

"Once we put the finishing touches on the runway, I can call our nine tenants who typically keep their jets in our hangars and tell them they can come home, which I'm really excited about," Smith said.

The control tower was also redone to make it more updated and state-of-the-art for the purposes of bringing in more traffic that is expected with Denver Air coming to town along with increased plane traffic involving Ford Motor Company from Haywood County.

Dec. 2 is the day Denver Air will officially begin flying out of Jackson.

"To have a true jet coming is a plus for Jackson and West Tennessee," Smith said before being asked about the increased load of the new runway. "We can take anything up to a 747. The 747 is too much for our runway."

There has been a total of $31.5 million spent for the airport in the last couple years to improve the facilities at what some leaders call the door step for Jackson and Madison County.

The airport is also expanding its parking lot because there will be more cars coming in and out of there since the plane accommodations are expanding from room for 12 passengers to 50.

There is work being done inside the terminal too as more chairs that are larger and more comfortable are being brought in.

"These aren't regular chairs, but the chairs you see in good airports?" asked budget committee member Tony Neihoff during the meeting, which Melton confirmed.

"We're so excited and appreciative of everyone who's helped out and getting all this done," Smith said. "This has been years in the making, and we're excited about the future of the airport - short-term and long-term."

At the ribbon-cutting on Tuesday, Madison County Mayor A.J. Massey said he's proud the County has an asset like McKellar-Sipes.

"The completion of the runway reconstruction is a game-changer for McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport and the entire region," Massey said. "With these upgrades, we're enhancing our role as a transportation hub and opening the door to new opportunities for economic growth.

"The upcoming jet service from Denver Air Connection will greatly expand travel options, benefitting both local businesses and residents. This is a proud moment for our community, and we're excited for what the future holds."

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news