Elected officials, business leaders, and members of the community gathered this morning at Livingston Municipal Airport for the ribbon cutting of the airport's new terminal, a milestone project that positions Overton County to compete for jobs and investment across the region.

The new terminal, recently completed by Mid-State Construction Co. Inc., was funded primarily through state and federal grants, and it stands as an example of what is possible when those dollars are put to work at home. Roughly half of the traffic at the airport today is commercial, and a capable, modern facility serves as economic development infrastructure in its own right, often providing the first impression a prospective company or investor receives of the community.

"A capable, modern airport is real economic development infrastructure," said Zach Stephens, President & CEO of the Livingston/Overton County Chamber of Commerce. "It is often the first impression a prospective company or investor gets of our community, and it signals that Overton County is ready for business and ready to grow."

The ceremony also brought news of further investment in the airport. State Representative Ed Butler was on hand to present a check for $4 million in state funding to expand the airport's taxiway, an investment that will improve safety and expand the airport's capacity for the years ahead.

The Chamber recognized the local leadership that carried the terminal project to completion, thanking Livingston Mayor Lori Elder Burnett for her commitment to moving the project forward and Airport Board Chairman Jason Duke for his steady work over the years guiding it to the finish line, and expressed its appreciation to Representative Butler for his continued efforts on behalf of the community.

"A project of this scale does not happen without strong local leadership," Stephens said. "We could not be more excited about what lies ahead, what this means for Overton County, and the role this airport will play in driving economic development across our region."

About the Livingston/Overton County Chamber of Commerce 

The Livingston/Overton County Chamber of Commerce serves as the lead organization for economic development, tourism, workforce development, small business support, and government advocacy in Overton County, Tennessee. For more information, visit LivingstonOvertonChamber.com.