December 27, 2023
By:
State Rep. Michael Hale, R-Smithville, today announced $1,402,497 in community development grants for projects in DeKalb, Jackson and Cannon counties from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD).
The funding is part of TNECD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
DeKalb County received a $352,497 CDBG for the purchase of an EMS project.
Gainesboro in Jackson County received a $630,000 CDBG for a sewer system project.
Cannon County received a $420,000 CDBG for a self-breathing air packet project.
“This significant investment is funding life-saving and essential projects,” Hale said. “These projects will improve the public health and safety of residents and visitors in the area, and I’m grateful each community applied for the grants. I thank TNECD for their work allocating these funds.”
DeKalb County will purchase a 2025 Ford F-350 Type 1 ambulance, a loading system and cot, a defibrillator, a ventilator, two digital radios, and a chest compression system.
Gainesboro will replace roughly 3,500 linear feet of sewer collection lines to reduce inflow and infiltration in the town’s sewer collection system.
Cannon County plans to purchase a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for the fire department, which will replace 15-year-old SCBA’s.
TNECD approved $36.6 million in grants to 78 communities across the state for projects in categories including public health and safety, community infrastructure, community revitalization, water system improvements, and sewer system improvements.
The allocation of CDBG funds is based on priorities set through the public meeting process at the local community level. The CDBG program is funded through HUD and administered in Tennessee by the Department of Economic and Community Development.
State Rep. Michael Hale represents House District 40, which includes Cannon, DeKalb, Jackson and Smith counties and part of Wilson County.