Smyrna Airport pumps $232 million into Tennessee economy, report says

SMYRNA— The Tennessee Department of Transportation has completed a year-long Statewide Aviation Economic Impact Study, finding Tennessee’s public-use airports contribute $40 billion to the state’s economy and support 220,936 jobs in Tennessee.

The study analyzed the economic impacts at Smyrna Airport and found the airport contributes $232 million to the state’s economy.

Impacts of on-/off-airport activities, multiplier impacts, and freight/cargo were all factored into the study. Examples of on-airport activities include economic impacts from business tenants, airport construction spending, and airport employment. Off-airport impacts include visitor spending. Visitor spending at Smyrna Airport generated $27.1 million in revenue to the state in 2019.

The analysis found that on-airport impacts generated 1,526 jobs, $92.5 million in payroll, and $232 million in business revenue.

This study represents the 2019 annual economic impact of the aviation system on the state’s economy and is a good representation of the annual economic impact of the aviation industry in a non-pandemic world, officials said.

The Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority conducted its own assessment in 2012 with an indicated annual economic impact of $74 million in business revenue. Based on the results of the TDOT study, the economic impact of Smyrna Airport has more than tripled in nine years, a testament to the continued growth and development of one of Tennessee’s leading airports, board Chairman Mike Woods said.

"Smyrna Airport is one of the largest economic engines in our state and an asset to our local community and Tennessee’s $40 billion aviation industry," airport Executive Director John Black said. "We have several projects in the pipeline in 2021 that will bring more long-term, highly skilled jobs and infrastructure to the airport. Airports serve as a catalyst for people to conduct business, serve clients, and ship cargo. Having a well maintained and diverse aviation system supports a robust economy."