Marion campus, Dura plant recommended for ARC grant

NASHVILLE - Funding for a technical/community campus in Marion County; help for the Dura Automotive Plant in Pikeville; money for a water treatment plant to serve the new state prison in Bledsoe County and an expanded fire hall in Beersheba Springs are included in a list of 17 grant applications that Gov. Phil Bredesen recommended Tuesday.

In a news release, Gov. Bredesen said the Appalachian Regional Commission grants will assist state and local infrastructure projects.

"I am confident these funds will contribute to a foundation for long-term economic growth in the region," Gov. Bredesen said.

Area projects include:

* $500,000 for the first phase of construction of the Marion County Regional Technical and Community College construction project. The $3.1 million dollar college will provide training in high-growth, high-demand manufacturing and technical jobs and will assist in strengthening educational, employment and economic opportunities in the region, the release stated.

* $497,000 to repair and replace part of the roof on Pikeville's Dura automotive plan. The city of Pikeville has acquired the building and needs to make the repairs so a tenant can move in. The rehabilitation will include 36,000 square feet of roof, expansion joints, piping, curbs and drains. Funding for the $997,000 project will include $500,000 in other funds.

* $500,000 to help build a $4.5 million water treatment plant in Spring City. The project will benefit all residents of Bledsoe County and will create 400 full-time jobs and 350 construction jobs at the Bledsoe County Corrections Facility, the release stated.

* $106,880 to expand the fire hall at Beersheba Springs in Grundy County. The fire hall also serves more than 2,000 people, including some in Altamont and in Warren County. The expansion will add space for fire and rescue equipment and for training.

Projects elsewhere include:

Crossville downtown street and sidewalk project, $317,383

* Celina Sewer System Rehabilitation Project: $500,000

* Fentress County Children's Center Health Care for Abused Children Project: $200,000

* Huntsville Sewer System Improvement Project: $206,952

* International Storytelling Center Storytelling Pavilion and Park Project: $270,000

* Johnson City/Cold Springs Utility District Water System Improvement Project: $500,000

* Jonesborough Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project: $500,000

* Morristown Lowland Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project: $500,000

* Mosheim Water System Improvement Project: $487,742

* Newport Utilities Parrottsville Area Waterline Extension Project: $428,874

* Sneedville Wastewater System Rehabilitation Project Phase III: $500,000

* St. Joseph Water Rehabilitation Project: $400,000

* Tennessee Tech University Center for Rural Regional Development Creation Project: $500,000

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