Spencer’s First Meat Processing Plant Opening June 14

The A&H Custom Meat and Processing plant will open on June 14 in Spencer becoming the first facility in the county. President Barry Austin said the plant will start with seven full-time employees and provide job opportunities to Van Buren County High School students interested in working this summer. Austin said they have received over […]
Van Buren Committee Discusses State and Federal Funding Uses

Potential uses for state and federal funding in Van Buren County were discussed during Tuesday’s Committee A meeting. Mayor Greg Wilson said that $700,000 in federal and $276,000 from the state will all come in before July 31. Wilson said that in order to find non-recurring expenses to fund the county could use the money […]
Agriculture Aid Available To Farmers As Costs Rise

The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program has opened signups to provide Upper Cumberland farmers aid. Chad Huddleston is County Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency. Huddleston said up to $250,000 is available based on a farmers crops and the number of animals they own. “All input costs are going up,” Huddleston said. “Fuel, fertilizer, […]
Ice Storm Damage Federal Aid Available For Putnam Farmers

Federal Assistance for Putnam County farmers is available in the aftermath of the February ice storm. Chad Huddleston is County Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency. Huddleston said the Emergency Conservation Program makes Putnam farmers with at least $1,000 in debris or permanent fencing damage eligible. Huddleston said 75 percent of costs will […]
Clay County Applies For Grant To Upgrade Solid Waste Fleet

Clay County Commission approved a grant application for adding a new truck to the Clay County Solid Waste Department Monday night. This is a Community Facility Grant through USDA Rural Development. Mayor Dale Reagan said the county has been looking to add a vehicle to the growing department for four years. “Landfills are filling up […]
2020 Outage Highlights Need For Sparta Senior Center Generator

The City of Sparta is addressing a need for back up power at the Sparta Senior Center by applying for federal assistance. The application is for a generator through a USDA Rural Development grant. City Administrator Brad Hennessee said the need is to keep the senior center’s Meals on Wheels program going in case of […]
Algood Gains Final Easement To Begin Project

Algood has gained the final easement needed to for its $2.1 million sewer and waterline project. City Administrator Keith Morrison said the next step is sending paper work needed for the USDA’s approval and then putting the project out to bid. Morrison said it has been a long time coming getting everything together to try […]
More Cumberland Residents Gets High Speed Access

More high speed internet access on the way to Cumberland County. A new $1.9 million grant announced Thursday will provide fiber access to 152 people, 33 farms and one business in Cumberland County. Ben Lomand will help connect improved access in the southern part of the county. It is the third broadband grant for Cumberland […]
School Districts Offering Free Meals

The USDA is extending summer nutrition programs across the nation until December 31 or when funding runs out. This extension will provide thousands of free meals for students. Overton County Schools Nutrition Program Supervisor Patty Dale said this extension will help a lot of families. “The way that it read is free meals until December […]
USDA Meat Processing Plant Coming To Van Buren County

The push for more farm to table beef is getting a boost in Tennessee. A 6,000 square foot custom meat and processing plant will be built in Van Buren County by June, 2021. A&H Custom Meat and Processing Co-Owner Barry Austin, said he expects to pour concrete in the next two to three months “Local […]