Monterey Receives Check For Bee Rock Projects

The State Department of Tourism on Wednesday awarded Monterey with a $56,700 check.

Monterey will use the grant funding to construct a restroom facility and parking area at Bee Rock.

Jody Sliger is the Community Development Director for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. She said the project can provide new funding opportunities for both Monterey and Putnam County.

“We look to bring the tourists here and let them leave their money,” Sliger said. “It’s real money for communities to be able to use for those other projects that they are looking at. We’re so excited.”

Melanie Beauchamp is Assistant Commissioner with Rural Tourism and Outreach at the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development. She said working to enhance Bee Rock will drive visitors to stay longer and spend more.

“Often times we’ll hear, ‘Well, if you’re developing something where there’s not a cash register, then how are you generating revenue from it?’ What we usually say is that this is giving someone an extra place to come and a reason to stay longer,” Beauchamp said. “So it’s really important to develop those assets, and with this project, it allows them to stay longer and not have to leave.”

State officials presented a giant check to Monterey during a gathering at Bee Rock on Wednesday. Monterey grant writer Dawn Kupferer said the restroom and parking lot projects have entered the permitting and design phase.