Arnold Air Force Base is in the running for a large new training program. On tomorrow night, community members will get a chance to find out just what that means for Tullahoma and Manchester.
Arnold is one of three sites being considered for the Common Battlefield Airman Training mission. Once in full swing, more than 18-hundred trainees would be on site at any given time . And there would be 800 new permanent employees on the base.
Construction of the 200 acre training area would mean more jobs for local contractors. And the influx of workers could mean more customers for area businesses. It might also create a need for new schools, and the movement of training groups could stop traffic on one highway.
According to an impact study conducted by the Air Force, the base has enough unused land to accommodate the new program. Once running, officials don’t expect it to change the noise level, emissions, or the amount of waste going into local landfills.
A public hearing begins at 6pm tomorrow night at the Coffee County Administrative Plaza.
For Nashville Public Radio, I’m Nina Cardona.
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