LAFAYETTE – A narrow and winding stretch of highway in Macon County is now under reconstruction after the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $15 million project.
TDOT Commissioner John Schroer joined state and local officials on State Route 10 in Lafayette June 13. The road project includes updating a nearly two-mile stretch of State Route 10, from south of Goose Creek to State Route 52 in Lafayette. The road will be widened to include two 12-foot travel lanes, a truck climbing lane and left turn lanes. Shoulders will be widened from one foot to 10 feet. Contract crews will also perform grading, install drainage and new pavement, and construct a concrete box bridge and six retaining walls.
State Route 10 has been a safety concern for state and local leaders, as well as residents, following a number of serious vehicle crashes in recent years. The planned changes will provide a safer and easier means of travel along the corridor, TDOT said.
The project was awarded to Twin K Construction Inc. and is expected to be completed in fall 2016.
Live in Livingston draws around 1,000 for first 2014 date
LIVINGSTON – The first Live in Livingston concert of 2014 was held in June in downtown Livingston and about 800-1,000 people attended, according to Greg McDonald with the Livingston-Overton County Chamber of Commerce.
Sierra Hull served as the headline performer. Two more Live in Livingston dates are scheduled this year, including Friday, July 11, which will feature The Steel Drivers; and Friday, Aug. 8, a show that will be capped by a performance by Scott Miller and Band.
Allied Home Medical teams up with mandrell sister for new ad campaign
COOKEVILLE – Allied Home Medical Inc., a Cookeville-based medical equipment provider, has teamed up with a new spokesperson.
Irlene Mandrell of the country trio The Mandrell Sisters will be appearing in nationally aired TV commercials for Allied Home Medical. Mandrell is helping promote the DDS 500, a patented air inflatable back brace sold by Allied Home Medical.
Allied Home Medical is a nationwide medical equipment provider specializing in chronic pain braces, headquartered out of Cookeville since 1996. For more information, visit www.alliedhomemedical.com or call (800) 230-6099.
UC BBQ restaurant celebrates five years
LIVINGSTON – Livingston’s Tennessee Barbeque recently celebrated its five-year anniversary.
Owners Gene and Maura Medley, and their two children Rob and Allison, opened the restaurant, located at 407 E. Main St., Livingston, during the height of the recession in 2009 and celebrated the milestone with a food special in June.
The eatery, which also offers catering services, serves barbecue, fish, chicken and more.
Two UC cities selected for fourth round of Tennessee Downtowns
UPPER CUMBERLAND — The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) recently released the most recent selections for its Tennessee Downtowns program, and in the Upper Cumberland, Carthage and Jamestown were on that list of six.
Those cities will join Arlington, Ducktown, Etowah and Shelbyville in the program. In its fourth round of participants, Tennessee Downtowns is a community improvement initiative for cities and counties seeking to revitalize their traditional commercial districts.
“Congratulations to the six newest communities joining our Tennessee Downtowns program,” ECD Commissioner Bill Hagerty said in a release. “This program offers valuable tools to support downtown revitalization and historic preservation. Strong downtowns create overall economic strength in our state, both encouraging investment from within and attracting fresh commitments to Tennessee.”
Tennessee Downtowns is a tiered program affiliated with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Tennessee Main Street Program. Communities selected to participate will form a volunteer committee of local citizens who will participate in a two-year training curriculum. The curriculum is designed to teach citizens about comprehensive, sustainable downtown revitalization and historic preservation. The training includes webinars, workshops and a $15,000 reimbursable grant to complete individualized downtown development projects.
The six selected communities are each home to downtown commercial districts established at least 50 years ago and have demonstrated their readiness to organize efforts for downtown revitalization. The highly competitive selection process was based on five core criteria: historic resources, need (economic and physical), demonstrated local effort, overall presentation and probability of success.
Jarden’s Community Fund donates $19,000 to local charities
MCMINNVILLE – Jarden Consumer Solutions (JCS), a consumer products company, recently donated $19,000 to three local Warren County charities through its employee-funded JCS Community Fund.
Grants were approved for the following agencies:
Families in Crisis Inc. in McMinnville supports families whose lives have been disrupted when a family member enters the criminal justice system. The group received $8,000 to support its direct client assistance program, which helps with funds necessary to set up a new home.
Helping Hands Ministries received $5,000 to assist with the purchase of food for distribution through its food assistance program.
And Morrison Ruritan Club, a community organization that host events and provides support to the nearby Morrison community, received $6,000 to assist in providing food to low-income families and individuals, and scholarships to deserving underserved youth.
“Our employees make it a priority to give back to the communities in which we operate,” said Rocki Rockingham, VP of community relations and communications. “It is through their continued support that the JCS Community Fund is able to make a significant difference in the lives of those who need it most.”
For more information about the JCS Community Fund, visit www.facebook.com/JCSCommunityFund.
Cannon chamber partners with WCTE to promote county
WOODBURY – The Cannon County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with public television station WCTE to help produce a 20-second commercial that showcases its most popular attractions.
The commercial is set to air during Antiques Road Show for an entire year, according to a release. The partnership was made possible by the chamber, the Cannon County Industrial Development Board, the Arts Center, Blue Porch Cafe, Short Mountain Distillery, Readyville Mill, Antiques and More, and the Old Feed Store Antique Mall and Gathering Place Cafe.
Gary Hancock, board member and chief operating officer of DTC Communications, will prepare a proposal to showcase events in Cannon County, which will serve as a recruiting tool and further tourism enticement.
