CLARKSVILLE REGIONAL AIRPORT

Major Updates at the Clarksville Regional Airport

The Clarksville Regional Airport is integral to big business in Clarksville-Montgomery County. In fiscal year ‘20 the Clarksville Regional Airport did major upgrades to a runway, which can now accommodate planes as large as a 737. They also completed construction on a corporate hangar next door to the terminal.

A recent study shows that Clarksville Regional Airport generates millions in economic impact. “Nashville and middle Tennessee’s boom has spurred growth in Clarksville as well,” Clarksville Regional Airport Marketing Manager, Toni Chambers said. “I would love to see commercial flights being offered within the next ten years, but for now we are primarily focused on our private charter companies, and our private tenants. If we can build the hangar space that we need, along with a new maintenance hangar, that would be fantastic.” Chambers says a handful of large corporations do make use of the airport, which currently has thirty private hangar spaces.

“All our private hangars are rented,” Chambers said. “We also have about sixty planes in our tie-down space. There is a waiting list that continues to grow. The airport itself doesn’t offer flight training, but there are flight schools on the premises.”

Upcoming plans for CRA include the addition of thirty new hangars for small aircraft, and two larger hangars. The airport has some tenants from Hopkinsville, Nashville and the surrounding area, but most are Clarksville based.

“John Patterson has been here for about a decade, and he has really turned this airport into a positive commodity for the community. The Clarksville Regional Airport is committed to furthering its community engagement and to assisting the City of Clarksville as well as Montgomery County by continuing to support more economic growth in the area,” Chambers said.

Here is some of the information from the study, and the numbers may surprise you.

The Tennessee Aviation System Plan was created by the Tennessee Department of Transportation [TDOT] Aeronautics Division to undergo an aviation economic impact study to determine how Tennessee’s 78 system airports support the economy. Results of the study were released in February, 2021.

The State of Tennessee generated $40 billion in total economic impact and contributes to 11% of Tennessee’s gross domestic product. The state is split into four regions and Clarksville Regional (Outlaw Field) served in the highest grossing impact region. Region 3 had been comprised of airport operations in the west central area of the state. Region 3 airports employed over 400 people and hosted 140 businesses, which employed 11,000 people. Region 3 mounted responsibility for $4.739 million in on-airport economic impact, $5.773 million in visitor spending and $7.797 million in freight/cargo.

This region is one of the fastest growing areas of the United States, “with the Nashville area experiencing over 60% growth in net migration and 43% growth in employment from 2010- 2019”, according to the 2019 TDOT Aviation Economic Impact Study.

The Clarksville Regional Airport is a part of the expanding aviation services located in the state. TDOT Region 3 makes up $18 billion in economic impact. Outlaw Field helped to boost the local economy by generating $30.7 million from on-airport impacts and $2.6 million in visitor spending impacts to result in a $33.3 million total economic impact.

Clarksville Regional has been associated with the creation of 182 jobs, $13 million in payroll and $20.7 million in value added. “I appreciate TDOT Aeronautics Division for going out into the state to conduct this economic impact study which shows how the airport is vital to the Clarksville community and surrounding area,” Clarksville Regional Airport Manager, John Patterson said. “My aspirations for the Clarksville Regional Airport are many, but I can highlight a few major points that are important to business development. With a new main runway, lighting, and new construction, we hope to bring additional corporate clients to our community, especially with the level of economic growth we’re seeing in Clarksville and the neighboring Nashville-metropolitan area.

“By adding a new tarmac down the road, this will help us support the additional traffic that is desired. With Clarksville being a college and military town, it comes down to demand, and what is best for the community. In terms of commercial flights in the future, the airport is actively pursuing the standards required of an airport of our size. With the continued support of our local government and board, we will continue to improve on this

New In Clarksville: Drakes

After an unprecedented year, Clarksville, like the rest of the country is beginning its return to normal. In some ways we picked up right where we left off. With lots of new construction, and new businesses opening throughout the community, we continue to be one of the fastest growing cities in America.

One of this year’s most anticipated openings took place in early May, when Drake’s, a Lexington, Kentucky based business opened off Wilma Rudolph Blvd, in the former Demos’ location. In addition to bringing between 75 and 100 jobs to the community, it also brought a concept that has captured the imagination of Clarksville’s food and craft beer lovers.

The Clarksville store is the company’s fifth in Tennessee, and 17th overall. Drake’s menu features a variety of appetizers; Sriracha dry-rub Wings, Warm Pretzels & Beer Cheese, Boneless Bites, which are juicy handbreaded chicken tender bites, served three different ways, BLT Tots, and more.

The restaurant’s claim to fame is threefold – burgers, beer and sushi. It might seem like an unlikely combination, but Drake’s makes it work, wonderfully.

You might want to begin with the sushi. Drake’s offers a California Roll, a Spicy Cali Roll, A Teriyaki Salmon Roll and many others. The sushi menu also includes small plates, sushi platters, and combos. And, for real sushi lovers, there is Nigiri – a type of sushi made of thin slices of raw fish over pressed vinegar rice, and Sashimi, which is thinly-sliced raw meat, usually salmon or tuna, that is served without rice.

Their Smash Burgers fill a dinner plate, and stand at least five to six inches high. The burgers are made from fresh 100% USDA Grade A Sirloin Steak. There are also mini burgers available. Guests can enjoy the Patty Melt, the Cheddar Burger or Big Blue. There’s the BBQ, Mushroom & Swiss, and the Morning Glory, which comes with pepper jack cheese, fried egg, bacon, fire roasted salsa, and fresh cut toppings.

The last component of Drake’s culinary-driven success is their tasty selection of craft beers and their ever-changing specialty cocktail menu, which features their own take on classics like the Hurricane. Their current Summer Vibes menu features a Tropical Mule, a Pineapple Margarita, Patio Punch and even Liquid Sunshine.

And, all this deliciousness can be enjoyed on Drake’s year-round patio. Large garage doors are opened during the warm months to extend the inside fun, outside. There’s also a fireplace to keep you warm in the cooler months.

Drake’s Chief Operating Officer, Mark Thornburg sums it up this way, “When you come to Drake’s you can expect exceptional food, unwavering commitment to hospitality and an atmosphere that