Keep Carter County Beautiful is preparing for their annual cleanup project along Milligan Highway, but this year the event holds special meaning: it is the 30th anniversary of the Adopt a Highway program.

Chairman Edward Jordan said KCCB chose Milligan Highway several years ago due to its popularity for county traffic.

“It is one of our major feeder roads,” Jordan said. “We want people to not see all the litter.”

The Adopt a Highway Program in Tennessee, sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Transportation, gives the community the chance to help keep state roads clean and free of trash, a goal KCCB has been striving towards since it was founded. Hundreds of state roads fall under this program.

“We are proud to be one of the spokes in the wheel,” he said.

Because of the road’s heavy traffic, Jordan said it is a prime place to show how the community is actively working to keep the area as clean as possible, so they can send a message.

“It gives us a lot of pride,” Jordan said. “We are a diamond, and we want to shine it up.”

To Jordan, cleanups like this are not just fun little projects. By spreading the word about cleanups such as this, visitors or prospective businesses can see the community cares about its environment. As a result, more people will decide to get involved, creating a chain reaction.

In addition to cleaning Milligan Highway, the event will also serve as a way to get the word out about KCCB as an organization.

“It is their community,” he said. “When the community is cleaned up, word gets out. It is called pride.”

Jordan announced this week their new yard signs will be for sale during the cleanup. They will be $10 each.

“We will have city police there to slow [drivers] down,” he said. “Bring proper shoes and think safety.”

The cleanup will begin at Happy Valley Elementary School’s parking lot at 1840 Milligan Highway. No prior sign-up is required, though the cleanup plans to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12.