Ground Force Smyrna Airport attracts strong regiment of tenants
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usiness is brisk at the Smyrna Airport, and not only in the number of private and charter planes using its runways. The 400-acre Smyrna Airport Business Park has 33 tenants that range from aviation-related businesses to corporate headquarters operations to manufacturing enterprises. The airport itself has 5,500- and 8,000-foot runways, more than 60 acres of ramp space, and commercial and corporate hangars. Among Tennessee’s 78 general aviation airports, Smyrna, with 1,700 acres overall, is the third largest. But it also is the state’s busiest general aviation facility, with more than 100,000 flight operations a year, says John Black, executive director of the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority. The authority’s goal, says Black, is to lease the property in long-term deals, including for corporate headquarters and spec buildings. “In the last 12 months, we have entertained 10 different clients, two of them major investments with high employment numbers and high wages, which is exactly what we are after. We want to be ready when the economy moves,” Black says. “We think we are.” Video Gaming Technologies, which has operations in California, Virginia, Oklahoma and South Carolina, set up its corporate headquarters at the park, as did Dominion Financial Management, a Christian nonprofit that helps people with money management and reaching their goals. Gary Bradshaw, owner of Pilot Journey, a small, family-owned company, moved into a two-room office early in 2009. The
company helps market and promote flight schools. Bradshaw could have rented office space elsewhere, but likes planes and wanted to support the airport. “The general population has this concept that it is a bunch of rich people with their toys,” he says. “But this airport enables Nissan to quickly get its technical teams between Mississippi and Smyrna. It is also a matter of needing an air ambulance. You can pick up someone in Smyrna and take them to the Mayo Clinic. You don’t think of that until you need it,” Bradshaw says. Among manufacturers, Wearwell moved into leased space in 2007 after operating for 57 years in Nashville. The relocation allowed the maker of floor mats for the auto, medical and foodproduction industries to consolidate from three buildings into one space built to its specifications. “The closeness of employees has created, culturally, a lot stronger company,” says Elliot Greenberg, chief executive officer. “Heating and cooling is much more efficient. It is just so much more convenient, cleaner and nicer.” The Rutherford County location has made commuting easier and opened up a recruiting base that includes recent graduates of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. Wearwell occupies 150,000 square feet now, but has room to expand. The location gives employees easy access to shopping, restaurants and banks. Even the local YMCA is only a mile away. “We see things picking up in 2010,” Greenberg says. “We want to grow.” – Pamela Coyle
Smyrna Airport is the busiest general aviation facility in Tennessee.
RUTHERFORD COUNTY ECONOMIC GUIDE
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