News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Governor Bill Lee hosted a rural opportunity summit with 15 distressed rural counties this week.
County Executive Jimmy Johnson represented Fentress County at the conference. He said the counties expressed their needs to the Governor.
“Basically, a lot of the counties’ needs are the same. You’re looking for highways, you’re looking for education, for TCAT,” Johnson said. “You’re looking for grant assistance. There is just a whole, anything you can think of now was the time to ask for it and to let them know what your needs were.”
The meeting follows Lee’s first executive order where he ordered state agencies to find ways to improve economically distressed areas.
Jackson County Mayor Randy Heady said state officials personally asked questions about the distressed counties.
“Because workforce development is a huge thing. I made sure I mentioned that we needed a mental health physician in Jackson County. We don’t have nobody,” Heady said. “And I know they expect us rural counties for our residents to go to the hub, you know, Cookeville. But that is not going to happen because a lot of them don’t have transportation.”
Heady said all 15 distressed counties asked for follow-ups from the state after the conference.
“In other words, hold us accountable, we will hold you accountable. And let’s continue to go forward,” Heady said. “And there is no bout in my mind that they will be in Jackson County and Fentress County and Van Buren County and Bledsoe County in the very near future.”
Johnson said the Upper Cumberland rural areas need more attention from businesses and the state.
“We have five of them right here in the Upper Cumberland,” Johnson said. “So the need is very strong here in the Upper Cumberland area.”
Jackson, Fentress, Van Buren, and Clay County were present at the summit.
Other distressed counties include Lake, Lauderdale, Hardeman, McNairy, Perry, Grundy, Bledsoe, Morgan, Scott, Hancock, and Cocke.
