UC Regional Airport Expecting New Fuel Truck In July

The Upper Cumberland Regional Airport is expecting its new fuel truck to arrive at the end of July.

Airport Manager Dean Selby said there has been a three to four week delay because of the computer chip shortage. However, Selby said when the truck arrives it is going to answer a pressing capacity need.

“In May, our preliminary numbers show us flowing over 36,000 gallons of fuel,” Selby said. “Which is a tremendous amount of fuel. That’s up, probably double over last year.”

Selby said this additional truck is larger, answering two needs by allowing for a backup fuel truck and increasing airport fueling capacity. Selby said fuel sales provide sales tax revenue from clients stopping in the region.

“It’s a combination of multiple factors,” Selby said. “The area has grown, the area is continuing to grow. We went after some of these people that are moving cross country. Some of these companies that are moving cross country and as they’re coming through this area, just stopping for fuel that’s added to it. All of this is just culminating now to the point where the increased fuel sales and the increased traffic creates more need.”

Selby said there is an economic benefit to the region whether someone makes an overnight stop or is just passing through.

“When we sell any kind of fuel, whether it be jet or be it avgas, that creates sales tax revenue,” Selby said. “While those people are here, most of the time they end up going to town, they eat and they sometimes spend the night, they rent cars. There’s a lot of economic commerce that’s attached to getting people to stop here.”

Selby said the fuel truck was originally scheduled to arrive at the start of July. However, he said the latest word he has received indicates delivery at the end of July.