Tennessee approves $28 million in improvements grants

photo Gov. BIll Haslam, left, leads a discussion in Nashville in this file photo.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty have announced more than $28 million in Community Development Block Grants to communities in the state for infrastructure, health and safety projects, and downtown improvements.

Haslam, in a news release, said these grants "play an important role in helping communities ... prepare for future economic development opportunities and continued growth."

The allocation of these funds is based on priorities set at local levels where community needs are best known, according to a release from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

Hagerty said, "I am pleased to see so many communities across the state eagerly taking steps not only to attract new business and encourage future growth, but also to create better living conditions for the families that reside there."

Pikeville, Tenn., Mayor Philip Cagle said the city's wastewater and sewer plant need upgrades that cost more than the city could afford to spend, so he decided to apply for the grant.

"This sewer plant is the one thing that causes me to lose sleep at night," he said. "I am always worried to death that something is going to pop or go wrong."

He said that the new grant will go toward overdue upgrades on the sewer plant.

"Pikeville is very fortunate to get this grant," Cagle said.

Cindy Easterly, mayor of Whitwell, said city officials there plan to tear down the old gymnasium and part of the old school that formerly housed the seventh and eighth grades at Whitwell High School.

"It means a great deal to us because the city does not have the financial means to do this on our own," she said.

Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6592.

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