Tag Archives: Appalachian Regional Commission

Tennessee Tech awarded the largest research grant in the school’s history Monday, a $10 million grant to study the modernization of the electric grid. The Appalachian Regional Commission awarded Tech money to lead a four-state consortium to assist rural electric utilities in leveraging the energy capabilities of the region. Among the issues, rolling blackouts that impacted the Upper Cumberland during ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Development District has received a $260,000 planning grant to strengthen a multi-state recovery-to-work effort. UCDD Executive Director Mark Farley said that the planning grant is one the first of several steps. He said that this planning grant will hopefully be what leads to a large funding opportunity later down the line. “We’ll be spearheading the project, we’re ... Read More »

Mayor Randy Heady ready to enrich Jackson County with training from the Appalachian Leadership Institute. Heady graduated from the institute sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission.  The only elected official in attendance Heady said of the many things he had learned, the key takeaway was the need to invite a variety of voices to the table. “It takes everybody,” Heady ... Read More »

The pump station at Wilson Sporting Goods in Sparta began service after some three months of manual pumping. City Administrator Brad Hennessee said the contractor visited the site Tuesday to make final inspections. “The expanded capacity and the improvements that pump station gives the Sparta sewer system long-term are… We’ll forget about having to pump it everyday pretty soon, but ... Read More »

Hilham’s Adam Mansell one of 40 people across 13 states to participate in the Appalachian Leadership Institute. The Appalachian Regional Commission organizes the 9-month workshop to study economic development. Mansell said sessions begin this week. “I grew up less than 10 minutes from Standing Stone State Park  in Hilham,” Mansell said. “Such a great example of things that are in ... Read More »

Monterey broke ground this week on its water and sewer line project off exit 300. The aging water line running from South Holly Street to the Bee Rock Overlook will be replaced. Mayor JJ Reels said sewer lines are also being added. “Right now, they are cutting the pavement from Bee Rock up to about the Hardee’s, where we are ... Read More »

The Town of Monterey’s water and sewer line project off exit 300 received final approval from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The commission requires a review by a consultant before funding a project with federal money. Monterey Grant Administrator Dawn Kupferer said the consultant approved theconstruction plans, bidding procedures and budget. “They have announced to the city and Mayor Wiggins ... Read More »

Fentress County has officially moved off the Tennessee distressed county list to only at-risk. The Appalachian Regional Commission annually categorizes all counties in Tennessee as distressed, at-risk, transitional or competitive based on economic status. Fentress County Executive Jimmy Johnson said the economic improvement is due to the workers of Fentress. “The workforce that we have,” Johnson said. “If something happens ... Read More »

Gov. Bill Lee announced today that Jackson County is no longer economically distressed. Each year, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) creates an index based on economic status for all counties in Tennessee. Mayor Randy Heady said moving on from being a distressed county to only at-risk is due to Jackson County’s residents wanting to improve. “New energy has really helped ... Read More »