While Carter County Proud recently picked up a victory in their own right, Ed Jordan is gearing up for another cleanup initiative.
The Elizabethton Lions Club recently participated in the Adopt-A-Highway program provided by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and are scheduled to clean up the intersection of US 19E and Elk Avenue, two miles toward Bluff City on Saturday, Oct. 22, beginning at 9 a.m. and the public is encouraged to lend a helping hand, Jordan said.
“I’m a member of the Lions Club and this is something we’re really looking forward to doing,” he said. “We had a cleanup recently and this is another opportunity for us to go out and help make our area beautiful.”
Carter County Proud finished their own cleanup on Milligan Highway last weekend. While the group was able to make strides, Jordan added that there is still a bit of a litter problem in the area.
“It is disheartening to go through a cleanup like that then see trash turn up again the next day,” he said. “We just want to keep encouraging people to come out and do their part to make the area as beautiful as it can be.”
And the organization is making strides for possible grant opportunities in the area. The Carter County Commission voted Monday to fund a portion of the group’s process to join Keep Tennessee Beautiful (KTB).
“On behalf of the citizens and the members of Carter County Proud, we want to thank the mayor and county commissioners for taking the time out and to vote in favor of this initiative,” Jordan said.
For what’s ahead, Jordan added the group will look to receive the other portion of the funding to get things in order to be affiliated with KTB. The county funded $2,000 of the $4,000 needed to be association with the group, which is also affiliated with Keep America Beautiful.
“There are so many grant opportunities available if we can get this accomplished,” Jordan said. “We have the chance to add flowers and plants through the downtown area, around the Covered Bridge and the other bridge across the Doe.”
The group is looking to do its part within the community to also attract tourists into the area, Jordan added.
“Elizabethton and Carter County already has so much history,” he said. “With these grants, we’re able to beautify the area, help enforce litter laws. We have an opportunity to attract even more people into our area to see what I’ve seen. I love this area and that’s why I call it home.”
As the group continues their cleanup events, Jordan added Carter County Proud is preparing to host another meeting with their board in November.
For more information, visit the Carter County Proud Facebook page online.