State grant will fund drainage updates at McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — Thanks to a state grant, the McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport will be getting some long overdue improvements.

A $7 million grant from the Tennessee Aviation Administration will allow the airport to redo the drainage along the runways. Airport Executive Director Steve Smith says the drainage hasn’t been updated since the early 1940s.

Officials say they’re excited about the improvements to reduce flooding at the airport.

“It’s not simple. This part of the Westover community out here is pretty flat,” Smith said. “I tell everybody it’s a great place for an airport because it’s flat, but it’s a bad place for an airport because it won’t drain and it’s flat.”

Smith says the drainage improvements will take about two years to complete. Construction is expected to start this summer.