TDEC Announces Local Water Infrastructure Investments

June 20, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County and the Cities of Smithville and Alexandria are being awarded grants for either water and or sewer line improvement projects according to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

The local grant awards are among 131 grants totaling $299,228,167 from the state’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) fund, part of which TDEC is administering in the form of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure grants. Since August, TDEC has awarded and announced $933,632,711 in grant funds through ARP programming.

Of the 131 grants, 29 are collaborative grants and 102 are non-collaborative grants. Collaborative grants involve multiple entities (cities, counties, or water utilities) partnering on projects to work toward a shared purpose. All grants awarded represent 469 individual drinking water, wastewater, and/or stormwater infrastructure projects.

DeKalb County is receiving a “Collaborative Grant” in the amount of $700,000. DeKalb County, in collaboration with the Baxter Utility District, will use ARP funds to modernize aging infrastructure and reduce water loss. The grant will be used to replace approximately 12,150 linear feet of existing water line, which will improve operations in the City of Baxter’s water system and reduce leak responses.

The Cities of Alexandria and Smithville are receiving “Non-Collaborative Grants”.

The Town of Alexandria will use $674,931 in ARP funds to develop an Asset Management Plan and address critical drinking water and wastewater needs. Projects include the replacement of aged meters with new reading meter heads, the replacement of an aging booster pump station with new pumps and upgrades to the electrical system, a new back-up generator for the pumping station, and the replacement of an aging can-type sewer lift station with new grinder pumps.

The City of Smithville will use $1,336,999 in ARP funds to address critical wastewater needs. Projects include the renovation and replacement of approximately 9,000 linear feet of aged gravity sewer line subject to high amounts of infiltration and inflow.

Tennessee received $3.725 billion from the ARP, and the state’s Financial Stimulus Accountability Group dedicated $1.35 billions of those funds to TDEC to support water projects in communities throughout Tennessee. Of the $1.35 billion, approximately $1 billion was designated for non-competitive formula-based grants offered to counties and eligible cities to address systems’ critical needs. Those include developing Asset Management Plans, addressing significant non-compliance, updating aging infrastructure, mitigating water loss for drinking water systems, and reducing inflow and infiltration for wastewater systems.

The grants are part of the $1 billion non-competitive grant program. The remaining funds ($269 million) will go to state-initiated projects and competitive grants.

“As Tennessee continues to experience unprecedented growth, we’re prioritizing critical infrastructure investments that will address the needs of Tennesseans and give local communities the resources needed to thrive,” Gov. Bill Lee said. “We look forward to the improvements these projects will bring, and we commend the communities who have gone through the application process.”

“More than ever, infrastructure is critically important to our local communities,” said Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge. “This money will allow cities and towns to address deficiencies and make improvements that will pay dividends not just in the present but in the years to come as well. I greatly appreciate the work of the governor and my colleagues on the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group for their work in making sure these funds were spent appropriately and efficiently.”

“We continue experiencing considerable growth across the state, and many of our communities require additional resources to address their evolving needs,” said Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville. “These grants will play a major role in ensuring cities and towns have access to infrastructure solutions that will enable them to continue thriving so Tennessee remains a preferred destination for both businesses and families.”

“We are grateful to the local applicants, and we anticipate excellent results from these grants,” said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. “This shows that Tennessee recognizes the need for improved water infrastructure, and we are grateful for the leadership of Governor Lee and the General Assembly in seeing that communities get this assistance.”

June 19, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Kitten lovers will find it hard to resist “Miso”, the WJLE/DeKalb Animal Shelter featured “Pet of the Week”

“Miso is a four-month-old sweet little boy. He is super loving and has already been neutered, vaccinated, and micro-chipped so he is ready to go to a new family. He is just a big cuddle bug. He loves to be held and he is great with children and other cats. Miso is an all-around sweet kitten,” said shelter director Emmaly Bennett.

“If you are interested in adopting Miso please check out the adoptable pet’s link on our website to fill out an application at https://www.dekalbanimalsheltertn.com/ and we will call you to come in and meet him,” said Bennett.

The shelter is open Monday-Friday from 8 to 4 and Saturday from 8 to 12 at 186 Transfer Station Road. Phone 615-597-3647.

June 18, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A Ton of Fun!

The DeKalb County Fair returns for its annual weeklong run Monday through Saturday, July 10-15.

www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com/

http://www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com/premium_book

With the theme “Meet Me At The DeKalb County Fair”, the 167th edition will feature another fun filled week of rides by B&K Carnival and many crowd-pleasing activities and events including the Demolition Derby, ATV/Motorcycle Racing, Super Truck & Tractor Pull, Pageants, the Lip Sync Battle, Homemade Ice Cream Contest, Petting Zoo & Pet Show, Poultry, Cattle, and Goat Shows, Square Dancing, and other special entertainment by Dalton Gray & the Space Cowboys, David England & 2nd Time Out, Middle Tennessee Tae Kwon Do, Three Parts Grace, the Gilley Boys, Boutique by Bee, youthALIVE, and much more. Cash drawings will be held each night.

The schedule of Fair events each night is as follows:

Monday, July 10th:
Cattle Show at the Ag Center- 6:00 p.m.
Demolition Derby TC McMillen Arena – 7:00 p.m.
Jr. Fair Princess (13-16) Lions Pavilion – 6:00 p.m.
Fairest of the Fair (17-20) Lions Pavilion – following
Miss Fair Queen (21-54) Lions Pavilion – following
Lip Sync Battle (Round 1) Lions Pavilion – following
David England & 2nd Time Out – 8:00-9:30 pm
Cash Drawing Lions Pavilion – 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 11th:
Little Mister (4-6) Lions Pavilion – 6:00 p.m.
Little Miss (4-6) Lions Pavilion – following
Mrs. Fair Queen (up to 54) Lions Pavilion – following
Miss Senior Fair Queen (55 & up) Lions Pavilion – following
Corn Hole Tournament Ag Center – 7:00 p.m.
ATV/Motorcycle Racing TC McMillen Arena 7:00 p.m.
Body Boutique by Bee – 8:00 pm
Three Parts Grace – 8:00-9:30 pm
Cash Drawing Lions Pavilion – 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 12:
Cooking Lamb – 6:00 p.m. Ag Center (first come, first served)
Little Miss Princess (7-9) Lions Pavilion – 6:00 p.m.
Miss Sweetheart (10-12) Lions Pavilion – following
Kiddie Tractor Pull Ag Center – 7:00 p.m.
Middle TN Tae Kwon Do – 8:00-9:00 pm
Cash Drawing Lions Pavilion – 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 13:
Senior Day Alexandria Senior Center – 9:00 a.m.
Junior Goat Show Barn – 6:00 p.m.
Baby Show Lions Pavilion – 6:00 p.m.
youthALIVE Lions Pavilion – following
The Gilley Boys Lions Pavilion – 8:30-9:30pm
Cash Drawing Lions Pavilion – 9:30 p.m.

Friday, July 14:
Toddler Show Lions Pavilion – 6:00 p.m.
Farmer for a Day Ag Center – 6:00 p.m.
Homemade Ice Cream Contest Ag Center _ 6:00 p.m.
Lip Sync Battle (Finale) Lions Pavilion – following
ATV/Motorcycle Racing TC McMillen Arena – 7:00 p.m.
Funky Cowboys- Lions Club Pavilion- 8:00 p.m.
Cash Drawing Lions Pavilion – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 15:
Smithville Select, Caney Fork Circle Eight, DeKalb Dancing Delights & Center Hill Hoedown square dancers – 6:00-7:00 pm
Dalton Gray – 7:00-9:30 pm
Pet Show Ag Center – 6:00 p.m.
Super Truck/Tractor Pull TC McMillen Arena – 7:00 p.m.
Cash Drawing Lions Pavilion – 9:30 p.m.

Gates and Midway open at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. The exhibit building is open from 5:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

Non-perishable items ONLY will be accepted Saturday, July 1 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Perishable items ONLY will be accepted Saturday, July 8 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Visit the DeKalb County Fair website at the link below for information about renting booth space, being a sponsor, entering pageants and shows, entering exhibits and events. The contact person and phone number for all of these are listed on the website at www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com/

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