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Senator Marsha Blackburn Celebrates Tennessee Priorities in 2026 Appropriations Bills

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has released a statement following the passage of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Act and FY 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act by the Senate. The bills include key investments in Tennessee's military bases, agriculture industry, and higher education institutions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2026 MilCon-VA Appropriations Bill allocates funding for the modernization of Fort Campbell, including the design of a new modernized hangar and a new Air Traffic Control Tower to replace the existing 49-year-old tower.
  • The bill also provides funding for Army National Guard projects, such as a new Milan Volunteer Training Site Air Force Reserve Range and planning and design for moving the Tennessee National Guard from Berry Field to Smyrna Airport.
  • The relocation of the Tennessee National Guard to Smyrna Airport would retain $145 million per year in local economic impact to Middle Tennessee and benefit 1,700 full-time and drill status Guardsman.
  • The 2026 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Bill includes funding to support University of Tennessee (UT) System research projects, including Precision Poultry Farming research and capacity-building grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCA).

Statistics:

  • 49 years: The age of the current Air Traffic Control Tower at Fort Campbell, which is in desperate need of modern safety standards.
  • $145 million: The annual local economic impact to Middle Tennessee that would be retained by relocating the Tennessee National Guard to Smyrna Airport.
  • 1,700: The number of full-time and drill status Guardsman who would be affected by the relocation of the Tennessee National Guard.
  • 63%: The percentage of Guardsman who live within 50 miles of Smyrna, making the relocation a convenient option.
  • $6 million: The funding allocated for capacity-building grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCA), supporting institutions like UT Martin.

Sources:

  • Senator Marsha Blackburn's official website: https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/8/agriculture/military/blackburn-celebrates-tennessee-priorities-in-2026-military-construction-va-and-agriculture-fda-appropriations-bills-passed-by-senate

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