Chamber Awarded $300,000 Downtown Improvement Grant for Downtown Smithville

November 10, 2023
By:

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the successful securing of a $300,000 Downtown Improvement Grant, generously provided by the State of Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. This noteworthy grant is dedicated to enhancing the aesthetic appeal and functionality of downtown Smithville.

Chamber Director Suzanne Williams expressed, “We are profoundly grateful to the State of Tennessee for this opportunity. Receiving this funding means so much to our downtown business community. Over the last few years, we have witnessed remarkable growth in our downtown area, and we extend our sincere appreciation to the State of Tennessee for entrusting us with the resources to continue this positive trajectory. This grant allows us to assist local businesses in further enhancing their buildings, unlocking the full potential for success and prosperity. This funding is not merely an investment in our buildings; it is an investment in the future vitality of our community.”

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced today the 17 Tennessee Main Street and Tennessee Downtowns communities that are recipients of Downtown Improvement Grants. “I congratulate each of the recipients that have been awarded funding through the latest round of Downtown Improvement Grants,” said Gov. Lee. “Tennessee’s downtown districts and main streets are the focal point of our communities, and these grants will help attract new business and promote tourism at the local level.”

More than $4 million in Rural Economic Opportunity funding is being awarded to improve structures in Tennessee Downtowns and Main Street communities. Grants were awarded to organizations that illustrated the need for improvements and the ability to execute an effective design plan for building facades, wayfinding signage, gateways and streetscapes. As part of the program, each new grant recipient will be required to match 25-percent of the funding received.

“Tennessee would not be known for its exceptional quality of life if it weren’t for the leaders across our state that have chosen to invest in their main streets and downtown districts,” said Commissioner McWhorter. “These 17 communities have a better chance at securing new investment and spurring job creation because of the Downtown Improvement Grants, and we are proud to partner with them in their revitalization efforts.”

Communities receiving Downtown Improvement Grants are:

• Bristol, Sullivan County, $300,000

• Cleveland, Bradley County, $300,000

• Dyersburg, Dyer County, $300,000

• Elizabethton, Carter County, $300,000

• Etowah, McMinn County, $300,000

• Halls, Lauderdale County, $206,250

• Johnson City, Washington County, $300,000

• Lawrenceburg, Lawrence County, $150,000

• Lewisburg, Marshall County, $300,000

• Madisonville, Monroe County, $300,000

• Martin, Weakley County, $299,276

• McMinnville, Warren County, $300,000

• Newbern, Dyer County, $177,373

• Sevierville, Sevier County, $159,600

• Smithville, DeKalb County, $300,000

• Sweetwater, Monroe County, $150,000

• Union City, Obion County, $300,000

“We are excited that these 17 communities will benefit from the latest round of Downtown Improvement Grants and look forward to seeing how each city and town uses this opportunity for revitalization to create jobs and investment in their central business districts in the years to come,” said TNECD Main Street Director Nancy Williams.

As the community looks forward to the positive impact of these developments, the Chamber Director concluded, “Together with the State of Tennessee, we are building a foundation for a continued vibrant and prosperous future for downtown Smithville.”

November 9, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A man charged with having sexual contact with an 11-year-old child five years ago was sentenced Tuesday in DeKalb County Criminal Court.

50-year-old Rogelio Rivera Palomo entered a plea by criminal information to one count of sexual battery and received a five-year sentence to serve at 45% before becoming eligible for parole. He was given jail credit from June 20, 2023 to November 7, 2023.

According to the charge, on or about July 20, 2018 in DeKalb County, Palomo did unlawfully or knowingly accomplish sexual contact upon an 11-year-old child with force or coercion in violation of state law.

November 9, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Grant James is now in the lead among WJLE’s Fearless Forecasters picking college football winners ten weeks into the season.

Grant has a record of 104-46 followed by Jared Davis and Ricky Atnip each at 103-47, Scott Goodwin, John Pryor, and Dewain Hendrixson each at 102-48, Chad Kirby 99-51, Scott Brown 97-53, and Darrell Gill 96-54.

For the week, Grant James had the best record at 12-3 followed by Ricky Atnip and Scott Goodwin each at 11-4, Darrell Gill, Chad Kirby, John Pryor, and Dewain Hendrixson each at 10-5, and Scott Brown and Jared Davis each at 9-6.

Two Fearless Forecasters hit their underdog picks last week.

Jared Davis added to his lead with 6 points as Arkansas defeated Florida 39-36 and John Pryor picked up 6 points with Oklahoma State’s win over Oklahoma 27-24.

Overall, Jared Davis still leads in underdog points with 47.5 followed by Dewain Hendrixson with 30, Ricky Atnip 26.5, Darrell Gill 18, Scott Goodwin and John Pryor each at 12.5, Chad Kirby 6.5, and Grant James with 3 points.

Today (Thursday) the Forecasters will be picking winners in the following games:

Michigan at Penn State, Texas Tech at Kansas, Utah at Washington, Oklahoma State at UCF, USC at Oregon, Fresno State at San Jose State, Washington State at California, Maryland at Nebraska, Florida at LSU, Ole Miss at Georgia, Auburn at Arkansas, Alabama at Kentucky, Vanderbilt at South Carolina, Tennessee at Missouri, and in the NFL the Tennessee Titans at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Catch the Fearless Forecasters on WJLE today (Thursday) at 4:30 p.m. on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com.

The program is sponsored by the Charles D. Atnip Realty and Auction Company, DeKalb County Ace Hardware, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, FirstBank, DeKalb County Insurance, Gill Automotive, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Davis Auto Body, and Domino’s Pizza.