During this month’s meeting, the Board of Mayor and Alderman recognized Smithville Airport Manager Joe Johnson’s critical role in a thriving airport, which is key to any area’s industrial and economic growth. Johnson not only maintains the grounds and systems at the airport but also is a talented grant writer which translates to state and federal fund availability for the many projects that keep the airport top-notch.
“We’re getting another $150,000 ACIP money which puts us at $547,428 in non-primary entitlements,” Johnson reported. “What that means is when we apply for a grant and get approved, 50 percent of that grant will be paid out of this fund ($547,428) and the state -Tennessee Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division- will provide a 45-percent match. The city’s grant match is 5 percent.”
One of the grants Johnson is currently working on would benefit the airport by adding additional T-hangars where aircraft are stored and a parallel taxiway to the main runway. At this time, if multiple airplanes are staggered for landing, the most recent plane must taxi back up the landing strip, creating a hazard for other planes. Currently, planes wait for the plane that just landed to taxi off before another plane lands.
“It can created a hazard,” Johnson said. “The area is not wide enough for the plane’s wingspan not to encroach on the main runway as they taxi off. Pilots work this out on the radio before landing to be safe but it does have the possibility of becoming a hazard if pilots aren’t careful.”
Plans are to apply for grants to build a parallel taxiway and another set of T-hangars at the airport.
The city has 16 T-hangars and two corporate hangars at the airport and all are occupied. According to Johnson, there is a need for more.
“People are asking all the time for the space,” Johnson said. “We can definitely rent them out as soon as they become operational. By combining the taxiway grant and the T-hangar grant projects we can incorporate a $200,000 savings by using the dirt removed from where the T-hangars are to be built and using it as fill for the runway.”
Johnson estimated the T-hangar project will cost $1 million but can be brought down to $800,000 utilizing the combined approach.
Fuel sales are also up at the airport. In early 2016, the city completed the installation of two new fuel pods at the airport which provide jet fuel, something Smithville never offered before.
“Sales last month were more than $12,000, up from $4,000 a year ago. Our fuel sales this month are $10,000, up from $3,000 a year ago. We are making some money on fuel. I really watch those prices when they go up and down and try to catch it low and buy the fuel where we can attract airplanes. The more airplanes we get in here the more money we get, the more state money we get, and the more fuel sales we get. It’s good for everybody.
“As of today within 100 miles of Smithville we are one penny cheaper than anybody else (selling aviation fuel). That attracts airplanes. We get them (aircraft operators) in here all day long. They buy lunch and fuel. They spend money in Smithville. They go to the lake and I try my best to take them to a restaurant to eat when I’m there. We try to take care of the pilots,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he definitely sees an increase at the airport during local events here in DeKalb County with the eclipse bringing in over 60 aircraft alone, noting annual events like the Fiddler’s Jamboree always attract a crowd.
“I’ve been on some drives with recruiters who look at our town for the purposes of locating business here and one thing that’s a plus is we have an airport,” Johnson said. “If an important piece of equipment breaks down at an area manufacturer, it’s a real boon to be able and fly in a repair part to get them up and running again quickly instead of having to wait for a commercial carrier.
“I’d like to work on getting a courtesy car,” he said. “Right now I use my POV but there are a lot of folks who come in that might need a car for a day and having a courtesy car would give us a customer service edge.”
The airport is on as close to a paying basis as it can be for a transportation facilitator.
“It’s like highways that don’t make money but they’re needed for industry and private transportation,” Johnson said. “The airport is the same way but now other than my salary, electricity and water there’s not much that costs the city.”
With grant-writing skills in hand and Johnson at the helm it looks like smooth sailing where the future of the airport is concerned.