Marion higher-ed campus honored with 2015 Rebuild Tennessee Award

Beth Jones is the executive director of the Southeast Tennessee Development District/Chattanooga Area Regional Council of Governments
Beth Jones is the executive director of the Southeast Tennessee Development District/Chattanooga Area Regional Council of Governments

JASPER, Tenn. -- After years of hard work to make the Marion County Regional Institute of Higher Education a reality in 2014, county leaders were recognized last week for their efforts with the 2015 Rebuild Tennessee Award.

Beth Jones, executive director of the Southeast Tennessee Development District, said districts across the state recognize one project per district of "substantial regional importance" that is typically accomplished through collaborative partnerships by local governments and state and federal funding sources.

"These awards highlight and recognize projects that have had a significant impact on the jurisdictions in which they are located," she said.

Marion leaders bought 140 acres along U.S. Highway 41 in Kimball, Tenn., and provided $2.9 million in local funding to develop a higher education campus where regional residents could earn technical certificates and associate's degrees.

Kimball contributed $750,000 to extend sewer to the property and to help with construction of the firstbuilding.

The county got a $500,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant and $250,000 from the Tennessee Fast Track program, atop $1 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for site work.

The facility, designed by Heidi Hefferlin of Hefferlin + Kronenberg Architects in Chattanooga, opened last year and is operated by Chattanooga State Technical Community College.

The total cost of the project was $5.44 million, and county leaders already are planning the next building, which will house industrial trades classes such as welding.

"With educational attainment levels in the Sequatchie Valley lagging behind the rest of the state, Marion County and the town of Kimball developed the project as an economic development initiative with the future of their children and grandchildren in mind," Jones said.

County Mayor David Jackson and Kimball Mayor Rex Pesnell accepted the award at the Tennessee Development District Association's Annual Rebuild Tennessee Awards luncheon in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Wednesday.

"This is a great award for our county to get," Jackson said. "We're real proud of that."

Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.

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