A year long plus back and forth between SkyKnight owner Scott Niswonger and the Greeneville Municipal Airport Authority Board has led to Niswonger announcing he has redirected plans for the airport investment and expansion to the state of Indiana.
In a note from attorney Robert Van De Vuurst, it was announced that after careful consideration, the decision had been made to relocate a plan to aviation investment from Greenville to Indiana.
The project the notice continued, represented an initial $2.5 million capital investment in a new hangar and maintenance facility, and would have created 18 high quality jobs, including 12 pilot positions, 4 mechanic roles, and 2 administrative positions. Over time, the direct economic impact, including facilities and wages, was expected to exceed $5 million with additional indirect benefits across the local economy.
SkyKnight, the jet aircraft and management and maintenance company, says the proposal was made to the Greenville Municipal Airport Authority in good faith, and with the expectation of a timely, commercially, reasonable process. After 13 weeks, the company says it finally received an initial response that did not provide a work or commercially viable path forward. As a result, they found themselves unable to proceed with the project in Greeneville.
Given the time sensitive nature of the investment, SkyKnight engaged with partners in Indiana where the project was reviewed and approved in a single meeting, allowing them to proceed without delay.
This, the letter continued, was not our preferred outcome. “For more than 40 years, we played an active role in supporting and developing the Greeneville Airport into a viable economic asset, while also investing in pilot training, workforce development, and the broader community. We remain committed to Greeneville and to its long-term success, but future investment will depend on a more responsive and aligned partnership with local government. ”
“We believe the Greeneville Municipal Airport should provide the community with a clear explanation of how this opportunity was evaluated and why it was not able to move forward, particularly given the impact on local workforce development and the many families who have invested in aviation training.”
“At the same time, this experience underscores an important reality. In today’s environment, projects of this kind require responsiveness, clarity, and alignment to succeed. When those conditions are not present, investment will move to communities that can meet them.”
AIRPORT AUTHORITY CHAIR RESPONDS
When notified by Radio Greeneville News of the statement last night, Airport Authority Chair Paul McAfee said he had not yet heard of the announcement. McAfee contends the Airport Authority is “in the right” as it pertains to the matter.
NISWONGER VOICES FRUSTRATION , CALLS FOR AIRPORT BOARD TO BE REPLACED
Niswonger had voiced frustration over the delay in the hangar approval in April , calling for the Airport Authority board to be replaced. He also addressed the matter with the City Council during their meeting the following week.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT
