Tourism Grant “Tremendous Asset” to City of Sparta

A new Tourism Enhancement Grant could provide Sparta with more tourism draws.

That according to Mayor Jeff Young.

“The grant we have applied for, this will be a tremendous asset to our tourism part. We are going a grant for lighting on the new bridge we just completed,” Young said. “And we are wanting to put in a kayak dock at the base of the bridge at South Carter Street Park. I think that will be a big tourism draw.”

Public Works Director Dillard Quick said the grant would only provide funding for tourism attractions.

“It’s a tourism grant. It is for boat ramps and pavilions and whatever goes along with that,” Quick said. “Whether it be restaurants for our pavilion or actually putting a boat ramp in, lighting, parking. I mean it is just for tourism.”

The grant could award up to $75,000 with the city required to make a 10 percent match. Sparta officially applied for the grant earlier this month.

Sparta becomes at least the third Upper Cumberland community to apply for the latest round of Tourism Enhancement Grants.

Monterey is seeking some $75,000 for improving access to Bee Rock while Overton County hopes to get the same amount of funding to update the Joe L. Evins Community Center.

Fentress County will also vote on the authorization to apply for the grant to build a community venue on Monday.