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FROM STAFF REPORTS
NASHVILLE – Representative John Holsclaw, R-Elizabethton, declared the approval of $1,260,000 in grants designated for community development projects in Carter and Unicoi counties, sanctioned by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD).
Elizabethton, located in Carter County, secured a $630,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) earmarked for a comprehensive pool renovation initiative. Simultaneously, Unicoi, situated in Unicoi County, was granted an identical $630,000 CDBG designated for enhancing roadways.
“This is fantastic news for our community,” asserted Holsclaw. “The Elizabethton pool renovation will ensure continued enjoyment of the Franklin Pool for residents and visitors, while Unicoi’s proposed street improvement project promises smoother and safer drives. Both endeavors are crucial for our community’s well-being, and I express my gratitude to TNECD and all involved in the application process for their dedication.”
Elizabethton’s plans for the Franklin Pool at the Joe LaPorte Recreation Area involve a comprehensive renovation. The city aims to enhance efficiency by reducing the pool’s size, revamp the interior, introduce a beach entry, and acquire new filtration systems, pumps, valves, and a heater.
In Unicoi, the grant will facilitate the reconstruction of 5,000 linear feet of Massachusetts Avenue, addressing road subsidence issues.
TNECD recently sanctioned $36.6 million in grants across 78 communities statewide. These funds cater to various categories, including public health and safety, community infrastructure, revitalization, and improvements in water and sewer systems.
The allocation of CDBG funds aligns with the local community’s priorities, determined through a public meeting process. The CDBG program, administered in Tennessee by the Department of Economic and Community Development, is funded through HUD.
Representative John Holsclaw serves House District 4, encompassing Unicoi County and a portion of Carter County.