Carter County Proud is asking residents to enjoy the weekend by helping to beautify their adopted highway this weekend.
The organization is hosting a regular cleanup of Milligan Highway on Saturday, Oct. 8, beginning at 9 a.m. Carter County Proud founder Ed Jordan is asking interested participants to meet at Happy Valley Elementary School and where the proper attire to help beautify the area.
“We appreciate the support we receive from these cleanup events,” Jordan said. “We’re looking forward to seeing people come out Saturday.”
Jordan added that he’s asked for extra patrol for police during the cleanup due to the amount of traffic the highway receives.
“It’s a very busy highway,” Jordan said. “I’ve just asked for some extra patrol cars to come through the area during the cleanup.”
Milligan Highway was selected as the group’s highway thanks to the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s “adopt-a-highway” program, aimed for groups looking to do their parts to help clean up roadways across the state.
Jordan added that another local organization has taken the program to heart and adopted their own highway. On Saturday, Oct. 22, the Elizabethton Lions Club will be meeting to do their own cleanup on Highway 19E from the intersection of 19E & Elk Avenue two miles toward Bluff City. That cleanup is scheduled 9 a.m. as well and Jordan encourages residents to join together with the club for the event.
Joining together has been the main message being spread by Carter County Proud. Jordan stated the group’s work toward obtaining certification as an affiliate with Keep Tennessee Beautiful has been met with support from both Elizabethton and Carter County government officials.
“The meeting went well,” Jordan added about his recent talk during the county’s Tourism Joint Task Force. “It’s a very exciting time and we’re looking forward for what the next couple of weeks hold. Everybody has been very supportive in wanting to help keep Carter County clean.”
Individuals can visit tn.gov/tdot/article/adopt-a-highway for more information on the program offered by the state.