Bob Rolfe TN ECD Commissioner, Chuck Hammonds Southeast Tennessee Development District, Dan Howell, District 22, state representative,
Jim Henry, TN deputy governor, Mike Bell, District 9 state senator, and Harold Masengil, general manager of Etowah Utilities.
State Senator Mike Bell and State Representative Dan Howell joined Tennessee Deputy Governor Jim Henry in Nashville to announce a $525,000 Community Development Block Grant for Polk County.
Governor Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe recently approved nearly $25.5 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), which assist communities with infrastructure improvements and health and safety initiatives.
Polk County plans to partner with Etowah Utilities and use the funds for water system improvements and water line extensions in the Delano community.
The county is one of 66 Tennessee communities receiving the CDBG funds. The awards were announced on Wednesday, at the state capitol in Nashville.
“Water system improvement and water quality is crucial, not only to protect public health, but to economic growth, recreation and tourism” Senator Bell said. “I am glad to see this partnership take place across county lines, with the support of TNECD.”
Rep. Howell noted that “the CDBG grant requires matching funds from Polk County of $220,620 for a total budget of $745,620. This is an important step in providing Delano residents with good quality drinking water.”
Etowah Utilities has been a public utility since 1939 and serves portions of McMinn, Polk and Monroe Counties
According to Commissioner Rolfe the mission of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the top location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. “The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth,” Mr. Rolfe said.
Tennessee is the only three-time winner of “State of the Year” for economic development by Business Facilities magazine.