Haslam Announces TDEC, TDOT Grants For Cleveland

Grants to fund Ocoee Greenway Project and improvements to Cleveland Community Center

CLEVELAND – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced today two grants totaling more than $570,000 for Cleveland to fund the Ocoee Greenway Connector Project and the replacement of the Cleveland Community Center’s roof.

“I am proud to see this commitment at the local level to implement projects aimed at making outdoor recreational spaces more accessible, linking key destination points in Cleveland with numerous neighborhoods, businesses, and schools, and reducing energy costs to taxpayers,” Haslam said. “The Cleveland projects announced today highlight local efforts across Tennessee to make our state an even better place to live, work and raise a family.”

Cleveland is receiving a $75,000 Clean Tennessee Energy grant from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to replace the Cleveland Community Center’s existing roof with an energy-efficient thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) membrane roof, as part of the ongoing efforts to reduce energy waste.  The projected savings are estimated at more than $323,000 a year over a 20-year period. The new roof will also result in a 90.2-percent reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen oxide.

“We are very pleased that the Cleveland community is seeking energy efficient ways to decrease emissions and reduce expenses at the local level,” TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau said.  “We continue to look for ways to promote environmental awareness and energy efficiency within Tennessee’s communities.”

Funding for the projects comes from an April 2011 Clean Air Act settlement with the Tennessee Valley Authority.  Under the Consent Decree, Tennessee will receive $26.4 million over five years to fund clean air programs in the state.  As part of the grant program’s initial offering, a total of $5.3 million in Clean Energy Grants was awarded in 2012 to a variety of projects within state government, municipalities, utilities, state colleges and universities and communities throughout the state.

Cleveland will also receive a $495,978 transportation alternative grant for the Ocoee Greenway Connector Project. The project will create a ten-foot, ADA-accessible concrete path parallel to South Mouse Creek and along Fillauer Branch before terminating at Ocoee Street. The project also includes new sidewalks and pedestrian crossing improvements at the Ocoee Street/Blythe Ferry Road intersection designed to connect to the existing Ocoee Street sidewalk system.

“Through these grants, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has funded more than $294 million in non-traditional transportation projects,” Commissioner John Schroer said.  “This program has assisted communities all over the state in their efforts to revitalize downtowns, highlight historic areas, provide alternative means of transportation, and increase opportunities for economic development.”

The transportation alternative grant is made possible through a federally-funded program formerly known as transportation enhancement, and is administered by TDOT. A variety of activities such as the restoration of historic facilities, bike and pedestrian trails, landscaping and other non-traditional transportation projects are eligible for grant funds under the federal program.

State Sens. Mike Bell (R-Riceville) and Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga) and state Reps. Kevin Brooks (R-Cleveland) and Eric Watson (R-Cleveland) represent Bradley County in the Tennessee General Assembly.