Comptroller Comes To Cookeville Giving Local Leaders ARP Advice
Upper Cumberland leaders gathered at the UCDD office Thursday to learn more about the American Rescue Plan. State Senator Paul Bailey invited Comptroller Jason Mumpower to lead the discussion. Mumpower said the state wants to make sure communities understand how the federal funding can be spent. “What I am encouraging communities to do more than […]
Van Buren Considering HVAC, Storm Water Improvements
The Van Buren County Commission will consider infrastructure improvements through COVID funding on Tuesday. Mayor Greg Wilson said storm water and HVAC upgrades have been discussed. Wilson said the county wants to mitigate storm water at the old county landfill. Also looking at drainage at other sites. “The Fair Association Building, our Agricultural Education Center, […]
Algood Awarding Funds For Sewer Cleaning And Testing
Algood City Council approved a $178,000 bid Tuesday night to inspect and clean the town’s sewer system. City Manager Keith Morrison said the town originally budgeted around $75,000 for the work. He said they had planned to supplement it with an infrastructure planning grant. Morrison said he believes the city should use American Rescue Plan funding […]
State ARP Funding Coming Down To Putnam For Water Projects
Putnam County will receive some $11.3 million dollars from TDEC for water expansion projects. Mayor Randy Porter said the funding comes from the state’s portion of the American Rescue Plan. “What they are going to do is ask the county’s to work with the city’s and water utility districts to come up with projects that […]
Students Need To Confirm Enrollment At Tech To Get Federal Aid
Tennessee Tech will have $12 million in federal funding available to eligible students, but they must confirm enrollment. Enrollment Management and Career Placement Vice President Brandon Johnson said where the funding goes is based on the university census. However, he said September 2 is when that data will start being analyzed. “If you’ve not confirmed […]
Fentress County Executive Wants More Improvements At Ball Park
Fentress County Executive Jimmy Johnson said he wants to prioritize improvements to the Kirby Johnson Memorial Ball Park. Johnson said the two things he sees as the biggest needs are another field and additional parking. Johnson said some nights draw as many as 500 people. “Hopefully we can come up with something in the works […]
COVID Relief Spending On Employees, New Buildings Not Advised
The idea of spending COVID relief funding on pay raises and new hires have been discussed as ways to fill positions. However, County Government Consultant Ben Rodgers said American Rescue Plan and ESSER funding should address long-term goals, without reoccurring costs. Rodgers said the funding will not be there in a few years, bringing repercussions […]
Cookeville Sewer Extensions A Funding Priority For Department Director
The final design on a Cookeville Sewer Extension to Tennessee Avenue is wrapping up. Water and Sewer Department Director Ronnie Kelly said the city has his request to use roughly $3 million in American Rescue Plan money for the project. Kelly said the American Rescue Plan money has not been received yet, but expects spending […]
Millard Oakley Library Eyeing Multiple Upgrades Through Grant
The Millard Oakley Public Library has mutliple opportunities for improving services with federal funding. Director Cynthia Julian-Simmons said the library has applied for an up to $25,000 American Rescue Plan Tech grant. Julian-Simmons said new computers, eBooks, and furniture are all possibilities. Julian-Simmons said creating individual pods for patrons to have private meetings online tops […]
Overton Considering Its Options To Fill County Positions
Overton County, like many Upper Cumberland Counties are struggling to find and retain employees. County Executive Ben Danner said there was a time when the benefits included with a county job were viewed highly. However, with the push to raise wages in the private sector even falling flat in some industries, it is difficult to […]
