UC Regional Airport Approves More Funding To Complete Fuel Farm

The Upper Cumberland Regional Airport Board approved raising its portion of funding on the latest fuel farm phase.

Airport Manager Dean Selby said that because bids for tank design and installation came in roughly $300,000 more than projected. The airport upped its share of the costs to 20 percent.

Selby said now the airport needs T-DOT Aeronautics help combating rising costs.

“All we know is where we are now and where we are now, this is what we need,” Selby said. “So I’m hoping the state is willing to help us with the difference in that cost. We’ve added a little bit to ours, now if they’ll add a little bit to theirs, then we can meet in the middle.”

The board approved the bid for roughly $829,000. Selby said he will no submit the bid to the state and request the additional funding.

Selby said approving the bid was a necessary action because there is no guarantee on prices moving in the airport’s favor in the near future. Selby said that even with the state agreeing, it is not the end of the process.

“If they approve it and we agree that’s the local share we can match then it goes to the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission,” Selby said. “Where we will have to go to Nashville and actually present the project and they will review it again, just as another check and balance.”

Selby said that fuel revenue will end up making up the costs incurred from the project. Selby said the airport originally budgeted roughly $500,000 for this phase of the fuel farm.