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June 13, 2006
USDA Rural Development Community Programs Director Keith Head joined state and community leaders at the Copperhill City Hall on Tuesday to announce $300,000 in Rural Development funding for needed renovations and necessary improvements to the building.
“We are glad that Rural Development has the resources to assist the people of Copperhill with these important renovations,” said Mr. Head. “Maintaining adequate municipal facilities not only helps deliver better service to everyone in the community, the new training facility will also help strengthen the economic health of the whole area.”
Rural Development funds will be used to renovate Copperhill’s City Hall, a former YMCA building constructed in 1923. Improvements include roof repair, window restoration and replacement, brick cleaning and repair, the addition of a fire escape, gym floor repair, ceiling and light replacement, new electrical service and a better heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The renovated facility will also provide Copperhill with space for a new small-business training center.
“There are wonderful days ahead for the Copperhill Municipal Building, commonly known as the YMCA,” said Copperhill Mayor Herbert Hood. “We are grateful to USDA Rural Development especially Ralph Elam and Alan Wade who visited the site, inspected the structure and decided it was sound and worthy of re-furbishing. First priority will be replacing the old roof with a new one, making necessary repairs on the floors, replacing windows as necessary and re-arranging office space. There will be rooms for training, and a large meeting room. The community is in need of a central gathering place and if all goes well, this will be it.”
The renovation is co-funded through Rural Development’s community facilities and business programs. The community facilities program provides communities with the financial resources needed to construct or improve essential services. Education, healthcare, retirement and civic centers, along with local government buildings for police and fire protection are examples of projects typically funded through this program. Community facility loans and grants target rural areas with a population less than 20,000. The rural business enterprise grant program provides assistance to public or not-for-profit entities to support community economic development programs that assist small businesses with needed infrastructure, provide job training, conduct feasibility studies and provide technical assistance.
Participants in the check presentation ceremony included Congressman Zach Wamp’s Field Director Kerry Steelman, Congressman Zach Wamp’s Field Representative Leigh McClure, and City Engineer Ricky Oakley.
USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities in Tennessee by providing financial and technical assistance through housing, community and business-cooperative programs. Rural Development assisted 459,219 Tennessee families and businesses with more than $257 million in financial assistance in Fiscal Year 2005. For more information on homeownership or business development programs, contact USDA Tennessee Rural Development toll free at (800) 342-3149.
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