$7.5 million in grants will aid area communities

Southeast Tennessee communities will receive around $7.5 million Community Development Block Grants for housing, sewer and water system improvements, Gov. Phil Bredesen said in a news release this morning.

Overall, grants totaling more than $28 million have been awarded for infrastructure improvements in Tennessee, Gov. Bredesen and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber said in the release. The funds were allocated under a procedure authorized by the Tennessee General Assembly.

Area grants include:

Housing: Coalmont —$216,000

Sewer Systems: Athens — $500,000; Pikeville — $500,000; Tullahoma — $400,000

Water Lines: Bledsoe County — $500,000; Franklin County — $366,360; McMinn County — $500,00

Water Systems: Dayton — $500,000; Hamilton County — $500,000; South Pittsburg — $500,000; Tellico Plains —$500,000; Whitwell: $500,000