Smyrna Airport could be new home for TN Air National Guard's 118th Wing
Currently, the unit is located at Joint Base Berry Field at Nashville International Airport. Initial discussion to move the unit was spurred by their lease ending with BNA in 2045.
According to Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Cornelius, who also serves as the public affairs superintendent for the 118th Wing, there is talk about moving the unit to Smyrna. However, no decisions have been made and discussions are 'very preliminary.'
Behind the scenes of blimp storage at Smyrna Airport
Dr. Murat Arik, director of the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University, spoke to News 2 about how the move would bring significant economic impact to Smyrna.
'You have the operation side, significant number of people of more than a thousand coming, who will live, eat and spend their time there,' Arik said. 'It doesn't matter if it's a business, military unit or any other institution, this will generate a significant amount of economic impact.'
Arik will reportedly work with the Tennessee National Guard for an in-depth economic study later this year. He believes there are only positives when it comes to this move.
⏩
The 118th Wing serves a variety of missions. In particular, they focus on intelligence, cyber, combat support, and domestic emergency response.
Smyrna Town Manager David Santucci provided the following facts and figures of the 118th Wing's potential move to Smyrna:
8 to 10 years to complete
Estimated $1.93 billion in economic impact and investment to the local area
Total projected impact of $5.9 billion through 2050
National Guard presence would also enhance local events, such as the Great Tennessee Air Show, and strengthen the region's emergency response capabilities
To learn more about the 118th Wing, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
Cultivating community through hosting events, supporting local businesses
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Every community has groups of people that work to make it the best it can be. Hattie Dewalt serves as the director of the Bellevue Harpeth Chamber of Commerce, which is one of those groups. She told News 2 that she stepped into the role thinking it would be temporary, but three years later, she's still here. Her bread and butter is putting on events. NEWS 2 ON TOUR | PHOTOS: A tour of Germantown's historic architecture 'We do a crawfish boil. We have a picnic,' Dewalt said. 'We have a 'Women of the 'Vue' that meets. We have business before breakfast. We have luncheons.' Each flagship event hosted by the chamber hangs on her office wall. In the center is the biggest event they host: the Bellevue picnic, which happened in mid-May this year. However, events aren't their only focus. The chamber also plays a huge role in supporting the businesses in Bellevue, businesses that have stood the test of time, but also new ones, like Cafe Sperry's. 'We've never had something like this before, like a cute little cafe in this area,' an Employee at Cafe Sperry's, Layla Perkins said. The chamber has dialed in on getting local businesses to come and stay, like Cafe Sperry's, which is about as local as you can get. Most of their products are from the Nashville area. It's not just the products that make local shops unique; employees say they especially love the relationships built. News 2 On Tour | Explore the communities that shape Middle Tennessee 'The regulars — just seeing them flourish in life and hearing their updates like moving, getting engaged, finally having kids or a dog; it's just so much fun,' Amelia Saul, an employee at Cafe Sperry's, said. Dewalt added that they're always looking for ways to improve Bellevue through new businesses, new events and new people. However, as they build, they stay focused on their foundation: 'Advancing the cause of the community and the businesses that are members,' Dewalt said. 'Being able to expose them to a broader audience, to lift them up when things get challenging.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Montgomery County budget vote includes new fairgrounds funding
MONTGOMERY CO., Tenn, (WKRN) — The Montgomery County Fair is moving to a new home, and county leaders approved funding for it. At their Monday, June 9, meeting, Montgomery County commissioners voted to approve next year's budget, which includes $2 million in funding for the first phase of a county fairgrounds. Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More The county has eyed a piece of land on Arkadelphia Road, less than a mile south of the Kentucky border. The fair was previously held at the Clarksville Speedway, but now the racetrack is in the process of being sold. The City of Clarksville plans to turn that land into a park. READ MORE | Latest headlines from Clarksville and Montgomery County The $2 million will go towards hiring architects and other contracted services, as well as the construction of the fairgrounds. 'Our department heads, elected officials, and commissioners collaborated to deliver a balanced budget that invests in community priorities while avoiding a tax increase,' Montgomery County Mayor Wex Golden said. 'The 2026 budget reflects a shared commitment to meeting the needs of the residents we serve every day.' Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
‘Complete transformation': Popular boat launch reopens in Hendersonville
HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — After years of planning, a boat launch along Old Hickory Lake has a new look. Sanders Ferry Boat Ramp in Hendersonville now has three new boating docks, plus a renovated ramp. The park itself has long been a go-to spot for residents and tourists. 'There are over 100,000 people that visit this park per year. A lot of that is for this boat ramp,' said Hendersonville Parks Director Andy Gilley. 'For a long time it was a hidden gem that we kind of kept to ourselves, but during COVID, Sanders Ferry became open to everyone. We have every event you can think of here, it is a focal part of our parks department, it is a major major part of our city.' Hendersonville Parks & Recreation reserves parking spots exclusively to honor military veterans The TWRA-led upgrade is part of a larger state initiative, named in honor of beloved fisherman and former TV host Bill Dance. It's geared towards increasing visitation to Tennessee lakes. In a state filled with natural beauties, replacing boat docks may seem like a minute task, but local leaders believe it will enhance the experience and broaden the tourist appeal along Old Hickory Lake. 'These are much longer [docks] and they extend out,' explained Gilley. 'These would be what you call tournament docks. So before it was even open, we already had calls from out-of-state people wanting to bring fishing tournaments here. We're going to see high school state championship fishing tournaments here, professional tournaments… but the biggest winner here is the city of Hendersonville residents, who are here every day.' ⏩ Gilley called the renovation a 'complete transformation,' as the original docks and boat ramp had been in-use at Sanders Ferry since the 1980s and '90s. He hopes their other popular boat ramps will soon get the funding needed for renovations. 'It opens this part of the lake up a lot more so you can enjoy it,' said Hendersonville Vice Mayor Mark Skidmore. 'There's a lot of skiing and fishing and just having fun, (and) that's what brings a lot of people here. And once you're here, you're not going to leave.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
