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Rocketship describes Smyrna-area facility, 10‑month renovation plan and safety measures
Summary
Rocketship told Rutherford County reviewers it is under contract for a light-touch 20,000 sq. ft. building near Smyrna Airport, proposed a 10-month shovel-in-to-shovel-out renovation timeline, and outlined security, storm shelter and transportation planning.
Rocketship told the Rutherford County Schools panel it is targeting an existing commercial building near Smyrna Airport—about 20,000 square feet—as a likely first campus site and described a light-touch renovation approach that would include a storm shelter and phased expansion if demand grows.
CFO Ben Carson described the 10-month timeline as “shovel in to shovel out,” with about five months for entitlements and financing and six weeks on the back end for punch-list items. Carson said Rocketship prefers light renovations to ground-up construction to meet a fall 2026 opening target and said the organization is exploring short-term temporary options (church space, community partner) if needed.
Safety and operations: Rocketship outlined layered facility and operational precautions: cameras at points of ingress/egress, access control systems, impact-resistant film on ground-floor glazing, front-desk panic alarms, visitor-screening software (driver-license scan), bus monitors and a pickup system tied to SIS identification numbers. Eric Newman and operations staff said the network uses school resource officers in Nashville and plans to do so in Rutherford County if local arrangements match those partnerships.
Transportation: Rocketship confirmed it will provide transportation and described route-design priorities to limit ride times, using hub-style pick-up points where practical. The network said it currently operates buses in Nashville and plans to scale routes and drivers to Rutherford County needs.
Panelists asked to tour the proposed facility if the application advances; Rocketship agreed to make presentation slides and follow-up materials available to the panel.
