Greeneville, Tennessee, September 14, 2025
News Summary
The Greeneville City Council will consider a $33,342 local match request to help fund a roughly $1.3 million box hangar at the municipal airport. Grant funding will cover most costs, but some dollars are set to expire and the construction bid must be awarded before the bid deadline, creating urgency. If approved, construction would begin this fall with completion expected in spring. The council agenda also includes potential changes to the town’s property tax relief match, a library sewer change order, and a special event permit. Recent airport updates include rate increases, facility upgrades and wildlife deterrent measures.
Greeneville City Council to consider $33,342 match for new $1.3 million airport hangar; airport board approves rate hikes and reports facility upgrades
The Greeneville City Council will consider providing $33,342 in matching funds for four grants awarded to the Greeneville Municipal Airport to build a new $1.3 million hangar when the board meets Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the G. Thomas Love Boardroom at the Greeneville Energy Authority building, 110 N. College St. The hangar project would be largely grant-funded, with the requested local match representing roughly a 5% share of total cost.
Why the city match is on the agenda now
Airport leadership says some of the grant funds are at risk of expiring and that moving forward is necessary to prevent loss of approximately $150,000 in grant dollars. The project has already been bid and the bid award must happen before the bid expires on September 23, 2025. If the council approves the requested match, construction is slated to begin this fall and wrap up in the spring.
Other council items of note
- Consideration of increasing the Town of Greeneville match to the State of Tennessee Property Tax Relief program from the current 50% to 100%, an increase estimated to cost the town an additional $9,165. The program had 235 participants last year and state funding per participant has declined, reducing the state portion for elderly applicants from $136 in 2024 to $107 for 2025. Keeping the town match at 50% would lower total relief for eligible residents from $204 to $161; moving to a 100% match would raise total relief to about $214 for 2025.
- Consideration of a $18,217 change order for ongoing sewer repairs at the Greeneville-Greene County Library.
- Review of a special event application for a Greene County Hurricane Helene Remembrance Anniversary event on Main Street at 6 p.m. on Sept. 29.
Airport authority actions and conditions
The Greeneville Municipal Airport Authority approved a 15% increase in monthly lease rates for T-hangars and also raised monthly office lease rates by roughly 15%. Hangar rates moved from $155, $175, and $225 per month to $180, $200, and $260 respectively. Office rates rose from $60, $115, and $150 to $70, $135, and $175. The rate changes are expected to generate just over $26,000 in additional annual revenue.
The board revised the standard lease document to better ensure hangars are used to store working, airworthy aircraft rather than for general storage. The airport keeps a waiting list for hangars, and the board indicated that tenants may be required to show proof of annual inspection by a certified Federal Aviation Administration mechanic as one way to confirm aircraft are active and maintained.
Facility improvements, safety issues, and events
Airport officials report a string of recent upgrades and activities. A new pilot lounge was created inside the fixed base operator building at a cost of about $3,500, converting two small rooms into a quiet area with two recliners, a television, a laptop, wifi, and a charging tower. Three mini split heating and cooling units, funded by a Federal Aviation Administration Airport Coronavirus Response Grant worth about $13,000, were installed at no cost to the airport. A new FBO roof paid for through an American Rescue Plan grant cost $29,000, addressing decades-old leaks, adding roof decking and insulation, and improving energy efficiency.
New signage was added near the FBO and self-service fueling station to welcome visitors. Additional planned work includes signage near runway ends and repaving of aprons around hangars; once complete, all pavement and tarmac will be less than three years old.
Wildlife, maintenance closures and community events
A black bear and her cubs that had been frequenting airport grounds since late June have been removed following action by wildlife officials. A small wetlands area inside the airport fence was attracting the animals; motion-activated sensors and loud sirens were used as non-lethal deterrents and the animals have not been spotted in several weeks. The airport runway will have a brief maintenance closure on Sept. 3 from 5 p.m. to midnight. The annual Wings and Wheels event is scheduled for Sept. 27, and the third annual 5K on the Runway is set for Nov. 12, hosted by the Greeneville Civil Air Patrol Squadron TN-015.
Other board actions and context
- The board approved a small 40-by-10-foot hangar addition at no cost to the airport to accommodate an oversized aircraft nose or tail.
- Airport officials noted the Federal Aviation Administration changed the airport designation from local to regional, increasing eligible grant funding under federal infrastructure law from roughly $155,000 to $295,000 over a five-year period.
- Officials emphasized the airport hosts a range of community programs and supports businesses, flight training, and civic groups, with leaders planning to monitor rates and facility needs on an ongoing basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will the City Council vote on regarding the hangar?
The council will consider allocating $33,342 to match four grants that together will fund most of a new $1.3 million box hangar project at the Greeneville Municipal Airport. Action is requested to prevent grant funds from expiring.
When and where is the council meeting?
The meeting starts at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the G. Thomas Love Boardroom at 110 N. College St.
How much of the hangar cost is grant-funded?
The vast majority of the project will be covered by grant funds; the council’s requested match represents about a 5% local share.
How much will hangar and office lease rate increases raise annually?
The 15% increase in hangar and office rates is expected to generate a little over $26,000 in additional revenue each year.
Why were the lease rules changed?
The lease document was revised to ensure hangars are used for working, airworthy aircraft, not for general storage, and the airport plans to require aircraft inspections as proof of airworthiness.
What happened with the bear on airport property?
Wildlife officials identified a wetlands area attracting a mamma bear and cubs. Motion-activated sensors linked to loud sirens were used as a non-lethal deterrent and the bears have not been seen in several weeks.
What recent facility upgrades were completed?
Completed upgrades include a new pilot lounge ($3,500), three mini split HVAC units funded by a roughly $13,000 FAA grant, and a new FBO roof funded by an ARP grant at $29,000. Additional signage and apron repaving are planned.
Key project and airport feature summary
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Council match request | $33,342 to match four hangar grants |
| Hangar total cost | About $1.3 million |
| Grant funds at risk | Approximately $150,000 could be lost if not acted on |
| Hangar rates (old → new) | $155, $175, $225 → $180, $200, $260 per month |
| Office rates (old → new) | $60, $115, $150 → $70, $135, $175 per month |
| Estimated additional revenue | Just over $26,000 annually |
| Pilot lounge cost | About $3,500 |
| Mini split HVAC | About $13,000 funded by FAA grant |
| FBO roof | $29,000 via ARP grant |
| FAA designation change | Local → Regional; eligible grant total ~ $295,000 over five years |
| Hangar expansion approved | 40 ft × 10 ft doghouse addition at no cost to airport |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Greeneville Sun: Greeneville City Council to consider $33,342 match for $1.3 million airport hangar
- Wikipedia: Greeneville, Tennessee
- WGRV: Greeneville City Council to address hangar and sewer projects, tax relief program and upcoming events
- Google Search: Greeneville Municipal Airport hangar
- Greeneville Sun: Airport Authority board approves new hangar lease rates
- Google Scholar: airport hangar lease rates
- Greeneville Sun: Black bear and cubs cleared from Greeneville Airport grounds
- Encyclopedia Britannica: black bear
- Greeneville Sun: Greeneville Airport shows off improvements
- Google News: Greeneville Municipal Airport
