Crowdfunding Campaign For New Billboard Moves Forward

A Cookeville woman raising funds to combat a controversial billboard wants donors to vote on the design.

Julia Gruber saw the billboard on I-40 near the Jefferson Avenue exit last week. In less than 12 hours, she raised enough money to put a billboard up for a month.

“It’s not going to be a negative message, I don’t believe in combating negativity with more negativity, I think it needs to be positive, to draw attention to what Cookeville is about,” Gruber said.

Gruber posted two designs on her Gofundme page this weekend. Donors are welcome to vote for their choice.

The original billboard is sponsored by the Tennessee Pastors Network. That group has not responded to requests for comment.