NASHVILLE Speaker of the Tennessee House Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, sent a July 14 letter to the members of the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission urging them to seriously consider the Tri-Cities Airports Aerospace Park project for a grant.

The planned 160-acre area is the future site of what area leaders hope to be a draw for aviation industry and jobs.

Harwell toured the site recently, and believes the project will give the region a significant economic boost, according to her letter, which does not request an set amount of funding, but does note $30 million available to the commission for allocation.

The Aerospace Park project at the Tri-Cities Airport is an innovative and worthwhile project for these grant funds, Harwell said. I hope the commission will give serious consideration to this project, because I believe it will be beneficial for the entire Northeast Tennessee region.

The Northeast Tennessee delegation in the House of Representatives, including State Rep. David Hawk, R-5th, of Greeneville, joined Harwell in advocating for the project in a news release.

Our region is fortunate to have many residents trained in this industry who are ready to fill the jobs that will be created by this important project, Hawk said. I applaud Speaker Harwells efforts to help us make aeronautics expansion in Northeast Tennessee a reality.

The Tennessee Aeronautics Commission assists with the formulation of relevant policy planning and all proposed changes in the state airport system plan.

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State Representatives Support Aerospace Park | Local Business ... - Greeneville Sun