Tennessee Tech wind tunnel moves forward in Crossville
Tennessee Tech’s wind tunnel, valued at $50 million, shown at its current location
at a General Motors test facility outside Detroit, Mich.
Tennessee Tech University announced that it has finalized the acquisition of its new
wind tunnel and completed the purchase of the former TAP Publishing building in Crossville,
where the much-anticipated research facility will be housed.
The developments represent a significant leap forward for a years-long effort that
will significantly enhance Tech’s research capabilities and footprint in Cumberland
County.
The university had procured an older-model wind tunnel in 2022 and begun importing
the facility to Crossville when an opportunity arose to acquire a newer, recently
updated wind tunnel in fall 2023. The university’s new wind tunnel was built in 2017
and is valued at $50 million. It can produce wind speeds of up to 175 miles per hour.
“Cumberland County has always been an important part of Tennessee Tech’s story but,
with the university now officially taking ownership of the former TAP building and
having completed the acquisition of our wind tunnel, we are able to build an even
deeper presence and partnership here in the community,” said Tech President Phil Oldham.
“We look forward to the innovative research and the local economic impact that this
new space will make possible. This is a win for Tech students and our Cumberland County
neighbors alike,” Oldham continued.
Tech and its partners will primarily use this wind tunnel for aerospace, vehicle engineering,
and wind energy applications, conducting hands-on, large-scale research. Current plans
call for construction to begin inside the former TAP building in late winter or early
spring, as crews will begin building the necessary foundation to support the tunnel.
The wind tunnel itself is currently stored at a General Motors test facility outside
Detroit, Mich. and will be brought to Crossville piece by piece, with a goal of full
reassembly in Crossville by the summer of 2025.
Tech is planning other uses for the sprawling 120,000 square foot building in Crossville,
too, including classroom space that could pave the way for future in-person course
offerings in Crossville. While the university had initiated the purchase of the facility
two years ago, it did not gain full ownership of the property until Sept. 17.
“The size of this facility offers us flexibility to be creative as we think about
ways to best serve communities east of Cookeville,” said Oldham.
University leaders added that the wind tunnel would not be possible without the support
of state and federal partners. The state of Tennessee’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget included
$2 million in funding for the facility.
