Haywood County recognized at
Governor’s Conference
Tennessee Department of Economic and
Development Commissioner Matt Kisber announced in
mid-September that Haywood County, Brownsville, and
Stanton have achieved certification under the state’s
Three-Star Program. The awards were presented at the
Governor’s Conference. Pictured (from left) are
Commissioner Matt Kisber, City Alderman Carolyn Flagg,
Katrina Ing, JoAnna Morris, Chamber Director Joe Ing,
Pat Cummins, Governor Phil Bredeson, Glodine King,
Leon King, State Representative Johnny Shaw and Tim
Stokely.
Stanton receives donation from
Federal Express Corp.
Stanton officials received a check
for $3,000 from Federal Express Corporation last week
as a match for the amount of money the town raised
during the recent school supplies drive bringing the
total to $6,000. Presenting the check was Rev. Timothy
Bowers, Jr., pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist
Church of Stanton. Rev. Bowers also serves as manager
of the Manager’s Executive Protection Unit at Federal
Express Corp. Patricia Gruenewald, president of the
Haywood County Board of Education, accepted the check
on behalf of the board. Also pictured (from left) are
Alderman Emma Delk, Debbie Sterbinsky, Alderman Allan
Sterbinsky, Alderman Ruffie Jones, Rev. Timothy
Bowers, Jr., (Gruenewald) and Stanton Mayor Royce
Barnett.
Jail committee chooses construction
professionals for justice complex
Haywood County Mayor Franklin Smith
announced September 27 that the Jail Committee
selected the group when they met the day before that
will be responsible for building the county’s Justice
Complex.
South Build of Memphis, a group of
construction professionals, received the majority of
the committee’s votes. In the group, Henson
Construction will provide the construction management,
Spirit Architecture will provide its service, and
Askew, Hargraves and Harcourt will provide the
mechanical, structural and civil engineering on the
project.
The Jail Committee will meet with
representatives from these firms on October 15 to
decide on the next steps. “The committee has worked
hard; took this job very seriously,” Mayor Smith said.
“They took three trips to other counties to look at
other facilities before they made a decision.”
Family Fun at the Hatchie Fall Fest
Where can you take the whole family
and enjoy a day full of free fun activities? The
Hatchie Fall Fest October 20, on the square in
Brownsville promises all that and more.
From scarecrows to rock climbing and
everything in between, hometown folks and guests will
have a great time. This festival truly has something
for everyone, even the family pet. While the kids are
busy decorating cookies, getting their face painted
and enjoying other kid’s games, you can find great
bargains at the many arts and crafts booths and shop
the local merchant’s sidewalk sales.
But that’s not all. There are lots
of things you can do as a family. Ever climbed a rock
wall? Now’s your chance to show the kids how it’s
done, or maybe they’ll show you. Have fun picking your
favorite scarecrow on the courthouse lawn, view the
quilt display at First South Bank and take a carriage
ride through historic downtown Brownsville. Pets get
in on the act at the 10 a.m. Pet Show, followed by the
Blessing of the Pets.
Want more? How about outdoor laser
tag? Try a little family competition in the 5K
Run/Walk at 9 a.m., or one of the many other contests,
like pie and cake baking at 10 a.m., gumbo cooking at
2 p.m., and Hot Salsa making and eating beginning at 3
p.m. It’s all happening Saturday, October 20.
After all that, then you can find
seat near the sound stage area and take a load off
while listening to local and regional entertainers.
Local favorite Blues Berry Jam and Kickin’ are among
those scheduled to perform, along with everyone’s
favorite Singing Fireman, Captain David Smith. And
anytime that day will be a good time to try some of
the great food that will be available.
You’ll also want to check out the
mini-tractor pull, 5 p.m., before you call it a day.
You will delight in all that the Hatchie Fall Fest has
to offer.
Admission to the Hatchie Fall Fest
is free. For directions and more information about the
day of fun-filled activities or to participate in the
many contests, call Sonia at 731-780-5144, the chamber
of commerce at 731-772-2193, or visit online at
www.allaboutbrownsville.net.
Haywood County unemployment rate
decreases in August
The Tennessee Department of Employment released the
unemployment figures for August on September 27, and
Haywood’s rate dropped from 7.9 percent in July to 7.3
percent in August. The national rate remained the same
for both months at 4.6 percent, and the Tennessee
unemployment rate dropped from 4.1 percent in July to
4.0 percent in August.
All but one of Haywood’s surrounding counties also
experienced decreases. Crockett (5.1), Madison (4.1),
Shelby (4.4), Lauderdale (5.7) and Tipton (4.5)
counties were down in July while Fayette County saw an
increase in its unemployment rate from 4.7 percent to
5.4 percent.
The highest rate in the state was recorded in Maury
County at 8.5 percent, and Knox County had the lowest
rate at 3.1 percent.
City on hunt for more industrial
property
Just a few years ago the property in
the Brownsville-Haywood County industrial park was
mostly planted in cotton, soybeans or corn. Today the
industrial park is so full that, Mayor Webb Banks
says, there’s practically no room for new industry.
New industry locating here and
expansion of existing industry has used up hundreds of
acres in the last 10 years.
Mayor Banks told city board members
during a meeting on September 11 that city and county
government must find new property suitable for
industrial expansion or risk being passed over by
prospects.
The mayor said the West Tennessee
Industrial Association has already bypassed
Brownsville numerous times with prospects this year
because of the lack of available space.
Banks told board members he expects
to “bring you options” within a short period of time.
City utility to raise rates
Vice-Mayor Joe Taylor, who sits on
the city’s utility board, says increases by the city’s
power provider, Tennessee Valley Authority, means
electric rates in Brownsville will increase October 1.
Residential utility rates will
increase from between 6.2% and 6.4%.
Industrial and business rates will
also increase.
City considering parades
The tragedy earlier this year in
Selmer, Tennessee, has the Brownsville Mayor and
Aldermen examining the city’s liability when issuing
permits or participating in parades. Mayor Webb Banks
and City Clerk Jerry Taylor say that officials with
the Tennessee Municipal League, the city’s liability
insurance carrier, don’t have an immediate answer.
The city has halted the issuance of
parade permits until an October 1 meeting at which TML
will address a specially call meeting of the board.
Mayor Webb Banks says he doesn’t
want to stop having parades in Brownsville but can’t
ignore the liability issues.
The issue threatens Brownsville’s
two biggest parades, the Haywood High Homecoming
parade and the Christmas parade.
Board annexes North Washington
Street tract
City board members increased
Brownsville’s corporate limits by a little more than
three acres when they met September 11.
The property includes two homes and
a sliver of commercial property. The land is located
north of Highway 79 North near Tammbell Street.
Haywood and Tipton working together
Mayor Franklin Smith told county commissioner
September 17 that governments in Haywood and Tipton
County are working on funding a Joint Economic
Development Board. The board would help develop
economic strategy for the two counties. Officials are
soliciting funds from local governments and utilities.
Haywood County’s mega-site will be central to the work
of the Board.
Progress continues on county
jail/criminal justice project
At a meeting of the Haywood County Commission
September 17, County Mayor Franklin Smith was
authorized to “execute contracts for the design and
construction of justice complex based on the
recommendation of the jail committee.”
The action means, except for passing on final
funding, the commission’s jail committee can now plan
and execute the multi-million dollar project.
Early in October Mayor Smith will represent Haywood
County before the state board that certifies jails.
The jail inspector has recommended our present jail be
decertified. Smith hopes the county’s current course
will allow a delay in decertification.
More water in the county
Construction of a new rural water line project will
be getting underway soon in Haywood County. A
preconstruction conference is scheduled for late
September, according to County Mayor Franklin Smith.
The new rural lines will carry water to residents on
Briar Creek Road, Cane Creek and Binford roads.
4-H camp here a good possibility
County Budget Committee Chairman Allen King told
county commissioners when they met September 17 he
attended a meeting in early September at which state
officials spoke encouragingly about the prospects of
moving a multi-million dollar UT-funded 4-H camp here.
Leaders have said the camp might be located on a
farm owned by county government located on Shaw’s
Chapel Road. In addition to an annual statewide 4-H
retreat for children, the facility has the capacity to
be a major meeting destination.
Chamber receives business grant
The Brownville/Haywood County
Chamber of Commerce recently received a $10,000 Rural
Business grant from USDA Rural Development. The grant
will be used to upgrade computer and communications
equipment. Among the new equipment is a computer
accessible to visitors and members to the chamber
office.
Haywood County recommended for a
$60,000 DRA grant
Gov. Phil Bredesen announced the
recommendation of a $60,000 Delta Regional Authority (DRA)
Grant to assist Haywood County in developing the
1,720-acre I-40 Advantage Mega-site located along
I-40. According to a press release from Gov.
Bredesen’s office, the business development design
plan will identify available resources including labor
force needs, infrastructure needs, transportation
needs, and environmental issues.
Haywood County Mayor Franklin Smith
said that a portion of the grant will be used to
implement a plan for Stanton as well as the mega-site.
The project will benefit by providing jobs for
citizens of Haywood County as well as citizens of
nearby counties. Funding for the $200,000 project will
include $40,000 from Haywood County, $60 from the City
of Brownsville UDAG fund and $100,000 from the
Economic Development Authority.
Carver Alumni Association holds
“Super Saturday”
September 1 was a “Super Saturday”
for the Haywood Training/Dunbar/Carver High Alumni
Association as members and guests gathered at the old
Carver High School, now used by the Brownsville Boys
and Girls Club, to open their Museum/Cultural Arts
Center. Ms. Carrie Parker is the museum curator.
Boys and Girls Club fundraiser a
success
The annual Boys and Girls Club Steak
and Burger Dinner fundraiser was again a success this
year on August 30 as a big crowd gathered to recognize
the club and the achievements of its members. Guest
speaker was Haywood County native Dr. Cynthia Bond
Hopson, an educator and author. Her message, “Go where
your dreams will take you.” In addition to the funds
raised at the dinner, Insouth Bank made a donation of
$15,000. Hayden Hooper received the “Friend of the
Youth Award” for her volunteer efforts at the club,
and Katora Holmes received the “Outstanding Youth of
the Club” award.