Budget Committee Grants Chamber Funding Request Subject to County Commission Approval

June 17, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce may soon be getting more financial support from the County.

During Tuesday night’s meeting, the County Budget Committee voted to grant a request by Chamber Director Suzanne Williams and include in the proposed 2020-21 budget an increase of $7,500 in the county’s annual contribution to the chamber. If approved by the county commission with passage of the new budget, the chamber will be getting a total of $25,000 from the county, an increase from the current contribution of $17,500 per year.

Chamber Director Williams, joined by Chamber President Lisa Cripps and Vice President Jen Sherwood, addressed the county budget committee last month asking for the increase on behalf of the chamber, a non-profit organization, established to promote local economic development and tourism. Along with the request, Williams provided members of the budget committee copies of the 2020 Chamber budget, current Chamber activities, and a DeKalb County Tourism Report.

The county currently contributes $17,500 while the City of Smithville provides $15,000 each year to the chamber. Among Upper Cumberland counties, DeKalb County ranks at the bottom in chamber funding contributions. In comparison, White County and Sparta each contribute $30,000 to the Chamber there along with proceeds from a hotel/motel tax which funds grant matches. Smith County donates $50,000 and Carthage $10,000 to its Chamber while Clay County appropriates $120,000 for its Chamber made up of all proceeds from that county’s hotel/motel tax including a tax on houseboats and the City of Celina also adds another $12,000 to the Chamber in Clay County.

The DeKalb County Chamber’s projected income for 2020 is $79,348 which includes membership dues and fundraisers in addition to the county and city’s contributions while expenditures are expected to exceed $82,000.

Williams said Tourism in DeKalb County has grown to $49.54 million and currently ranks third among the 14 Upper Cumberland Counties behind Putnam at $140.15 million and Cumberland at $127.80 million.

In addition to promoting DeKalb County and raising funds to support the Chamber, Williams said she also spends much of her time writing and administering grants for the county among other tasks.

Over $73,000 in grants have already been secured for the county this year with more expected. The latest to be funded is a $3,500 TVA Telework Technology Grant for the UT Extension Service Conference Room at the County Complex.

In a letter to the County Mayor and Commissioners, Williams outlined Chamber supported goals for the upcoming year.

“This year we are choosing to focus on and accomplish several major goals including New DeKalb County Resource Guides to be distributed at the Smith County Welcome Center and for newcomers and visitors, the new Alexandria Park and Playground, improvements to DeKalb Tee Ball Fields, a new Telework Technology System for the County Complex Conference Room, next year’s 50th Smithville Jamboree super celebration, and downtown Smithville murals,” said Williams.

With the workload ever increasing, Williams said the Chamber could use a financial boost from the county.

“We are not a donation. We are an investment. You will never lose money by putting it into the Chamber. Any grant Tim (Stribling) has ever asked me to write I have done it and I am glad to do it because these things are important for our community and in making us the best we can be. But it has gotten to the point to where I can hardly do it all on the little bit (funding) we (Chamber) are getting (from County) because I am having to spend so much time fundraising along with my responsibilities as the Chamber Director, Chamber Secretary, Jamboree Secretary, and grant writer and administrator. I am doing all these jobs. I ask that you seriously consider this request. I promise you will not regret it because I will make sure it comes back to you three or four fold. I have done it consistently over the years,” said Williams.

June 17, 2020
By:

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce recently had a Ribbon Cutting for new member, Advanced Urgent Care, located inside Webb’s Pharmacy, 608 South Congress Blvd., Smithville.

Local staff includes Board-Certified Nurse Practitioners Laura Hall, Brenda Tramel, and Tera Campbell with over 12 years combined experience. The clinic is owned and directed by Dr. Cetin Hekimoglu, Internal Medicine Specialist, with 31 years’ experience.

Advanced Urgent Care takes patients of all ages and provides basic wellness and prevention services including treatment for everyday illness and injury, colds, flu, upper respiratory infections, as well as more advanced services including onsite X-rays, EKGs, IV hydration, laceration repair, and treatment for broken bones, sprains and strains. Walk-in treatment is available, as well as Telehealth services. Hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 6 PM and Saturdays 8:30 AM to 2PM, with no appointment necessary.

Pictured l-r: Front Row – Susan Young, Callie Hall, Laura Hall, Dr. Cetin Hekimoglu, Brenda Tramel
Back Row – Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, Justin Hooper, Alan Webb, Sarah Hughes, Chamber President Lisa Cripps, Loren McCorkle, Chamber Board Member Josh Issac.

June 16, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A 17 year old Alexandria boy is reportedly in critical condition at Vanderbilt Hospital after being injured in a crash Monday night on the Lower Helton Road.

According to Trooper Chris Delong of the Tennessee Highway Patrol the boy was driving west in a 2015 Side x Side Polaris Ranger. 19 year old Kaitlyn Bain of Smithville was a passenger.

While negotiating a curve, the Polaris Ranger went off the left side of the road and over an embankment before flipping over and ejecting the driver. The Ranger then came to a final rest upright on its wheels about 30 feet off the road.

The DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department set up a helicopter landing zone nearby and the teen was airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital. Bain was transported by DeKalb EMS to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital.

Trooper Delong said Bain was cited for illegal possession of alcohol and charges are pending against the driver.

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