Free air stations installed around town

Don’t leave a tire too low. The generosity of Bridgestone Firestone has helped eliminate the inconvenience of finding a free air station around town. Several air stations have been conveniently placed ‘ with more on the way.

Bridgestone Firestone plant manager Ron Brooks made an offer to donate at least five free air stations to be placed around the area if a corporate-funded grant could be obtained. It was, but it provided enough funding for 10 stations.

The first air station was placed at Morrison Fire Station on Highway 55 in April. In the last several months, the stations have been popping up all over McMinnville.

Seven stations have been placed in locations suitable for installation. As well as getting permission from the property owners, the placement required a well-lit, accessible place where motorists would feel comfortable checking their tires.

Those currently installed include:

‘ McMinnville Police Department beside the city hall parking lot;

‘ Village beside the propane tanks;

‘ Viola Road Carwash on South Chancery Street;

‘ McMinnville Electric System;

‘ NAPA parts store on Beersheba Street;

‘ Warren County Health Department;

‘ Warren County Administrative Building beside UCHRA.

There are two more to be placed. One will be at McMinnville Civic Center when an appropriate spot is chosen by Parks and Recreation director Carlene Brown, and one is yet to be determined by the county.

As well as fully funding the air stations, which cost about $2,000 apiece, Bridgestone has generously offered to pay maintenance and electric bills for the units. It’s one of the many projects Bridgestone undertakes to help the community.

‘Bridgestone Firestone is a great partner with us,’ said County Executive John Pelham. ‘Besides the people they employ, what they provide to the citizens of Warren County the average citizen isn’t aware of. We are so blessed to have them in our community.’

Now that air is everywhere, officials say check those tires.

‘It is very important that tires have the proper inflation,’ said Davenport. ‘What this does is it gives the citizens of Warren County a chance to maintain their tires without being concerned about where they can get air. Tires need to be checked at least once a month.’

Bridgestone’s nationwide campaign strives to extend tread life, lower operation cost by extending the life of the tire, increase safety by improving vehicle handling, improve the environment by reducing unnecessary wear, and reduce the nation’s dependence on oil by improving fuel economy.