Tag Archives: Governor Bill Lee

Governor Bill Lee announced Tuesday that Tennessee would end all federally funded pandemic unemployment compensation programs, and Upper Cumberland workforce agencies are expecting to see an increase in activity. Becky Hull, Executive Director for the Upper Cumberland Local Workforce Development Board, said they have been trying to fill a large number of job openings since businesses started opening back up. ... Read More »

A Cookeville staffing agency is already seeing the affects of Governor Bill Lee ending federal pandemic unemployment programs for the state. Express Employment Professionals Employment Specialist Cassie Lafever said the decision has been a positive with several people already seeking work. “I think it has been a tremendous problem,” Lafever said. “We hear from clients daily wondering if it is ... Read More »

Upgrades to roads and more infrastructure for counties are some of the Upper Cumberland benefits of the state’s new budget. That is according to State Representative Ryan Williams. Governor Bill Lee’s $42.6 billion budget passed Thursday. “Our state was one of seven states to show positive economic growth through the midst of COVID, which is no small feat,” Williams said. ... Read More »

An Upper Cumberland curriculum supervisor thinks Governor Bill Lee’s proposed state funding for young readers will help the learning gap. Lee has proposed $2 million to provide four books and reading resources for students entering first grade across the state. Jackson County Schools Instruction Supervisor Tammy Woolbright said the time period after kindergarten is critical in developing reading skills. “These ... Read More »

TCAT Livingston and other locations across the state are seeing a waiting list for programs. As a result, Governor Bill Lee has proposed $79 million dollars to reduce the some 11,000 people statewide waiting for classes. TCAT Livingston President Myra West said the extra funding is a significant investment that would help feed the demand. “For example, if we have ... Read More »

Fentress County voted to take no action Monday night on allocating all $642,000 of Governor Lee’s Infrastructure grant to the highway department. The highway department was short $219,000 on gas and motor fuel tax revenue, however commissioners did not want to take action without guidance on how the money could be spent. County Executive Jimmy Johnson said that while state ... Read More »

Putnam County Director of Schools Corby King said state transportation grants for upcoming summer learning camps will be helpful. Governor Bill Lee allocated $18.5 million dollars to assist school systems across the state. King said this has been something school director’s have been wanting. “We are currently planning to use some of our ESSER funding, ESSER 2.0 funding to provide ... Read More »

FEMA is in Overton County Tuesday to validate damages and debris from the February ice storm. EMA Director Chris Masiongale said FEMA is travelling the county with Livingston Mayor Curtis Hayes and County Executive Ben Danner. Masiongale said the county’s disaster damage threshold was $86,000 but damages are well over $1 million. “Once the numbers are validated then they’ll go ... Read More »

The 30th annual Child Advocacy Days begin Tuesday to renew, refresh and refocus following 2020. Krisi Paling is the Upper Cumberland Regional Coordinator for the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. Paling said this event helps build connections and offer education to support the network of advocates around the state. “All those interested can really come together to really be ... Read More »

Volunteer First Services of Cumberland County has received just under $2 million to expand broadband access in the county. The grant funding comes from the fourth round of the state’s Broadband Accessibility Grant program. The company is one of 13 recipients that demonstrated a high need as well as the ability to implement and sustain the projects. A match to ... Read More »