Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty have approved more than $23 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to assist with infrastructure improvements in Tennessee including a $500,000 grant for the DeKalb Utility District.
County Mayor Mike Foster told WJLE Friday that the local grant will be used to install water lines to serve approximately ninety residents on Oakley Road, Dismal, Tramel Branch, Long Branch, and Givens Hollow. Foster said he received the news of the grant award from State Senator Mae Beavers.
The county applied for the grant on behalf of the DeKalb Utility District and the DUD will fund the local matching obligation.
Foster said he is very grateful that DeKalb County has been awarded this grant. “We have been really fortunate in the last several years. We have received four of these grants probably in the last eight or nine years. We try to select the areas that are in the highest need,” said Foster.
“As we work to make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs, the proper infrastructure must support existing and future businesses,” Haslam said. “I am pleased the state of Tennessee is able to partner with our local communities to make these projects a reality.”
The funds were allocated under a procedure authorized by the Tennessee General Assembly.
“Community development is essential in growing the economy and creating a business friendly environment,” Hagerty said. “CDBG grants allow communities to take the steps needed that will ultimately encourage existing businesses to expand and future companies to relocate and invest in Tennessee.”
Allocation of CDBG funds is based on priorities set at local levels where community needs are best known. The CDBG program is administered in Tennessee by the Department of Economic and Community Development.
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