LENDING A HAND LOCALLY-Twin Lakes recently presented $5,000 grants to the Clay County Museum (above), and both the Clay County Soil and Water Conservation and Pea Ridge Volunteer Fire Department (pictured below the article) here in Clay County as a part of their commitment to enhancing digital access in rural areas here in the region. (Twin Lakes photos)

Three community entities awarded $5,000 each

CLAY COUNTY-Twin Lakes, the leading broadband provider in the Upper Cumberland, recently announced the recipients of its Twin Lakes Difference grants, totaling more than $110,000 and benefiting more than 26 regional organizations, including three here in Clay County.

This initiative includes two $5,000 grants awarded in collaboration with the Foundation for Rural Services (FRS), reinforcing Twin Lakes’ commitment to enhancing digital access in rural Upper Cumberland areas.

These community-based organizations range from schools, museums, fire departments, economic development groups, and

more.

Local recipients included the Clay County Museum, Clay County Soil and Water Conservation, and the Pea Ridge Volunteer Fire Department (VFD), who each received $5,000.

The local museum will use their funds to purchase two eight-button solar eco-post units for visitors to view and hear audible descriptions about the museum’s artifacts and displays, Clay County Soil and Water Conservation will utilize their grant to purchase Twin Lakes Security cameras and NVR to monitor equipment, and Pea Ridge VFD will now be able to purchase two-way radios for each of their firefighters.

Over the past five years, the Twin Lakes Difference Grant Program has made a remarkable impact on over 95 organization projects across the Upper Cumberland.  These grants are dedicated to strengthening technological infrastructure, promoting digital inclusion, and supporting local initiatives.

“We are proud to continue our commitment to driving community growth through our technology grants,” says Jonathan West, CEO of Twin Lakes.  “These grants play a crucial role in strengthening connectivity, advancing education, and boosting economic development in the rural Upper Cumberland communities we serve.

“Now entering our fifth year, we remain focused on empowering local communities through cutting-edge communications and technology initiatives.”

Twin Lakes officials explained the impact of these grants goes far beyond immediate technological improvements.

“They support a larger vision of building safer, more resilient, and digitally connected communities equipped to thrive in today’s world,” officials said.  “Twin Lakes is excited to see the meaningful changes these projects will bring to our local communities now and well into the future.

“The community grant program is offered annually through Twin Lakes and FRS, to maintain and enrich the quality of life in rural America.  If you, or an organization you know, is interested in applying for grant funding, please contact your local Twin Lakes office for more information.”

Other grant recipients throughout the region included:

• A.H. Roberts Elementary School in Overton County, which was awarded $1,096 to purchase two way long distance handheld radios for all faculty and staff members;

* Fairgrounds Volunteer Fire Department in Overton County, which was awarded $5,000 to purchase new radios, and Bluetooth mics for personnel;

• Good Neighbors Theater in Pickett County, which was awarded $5,000 to purchase sound and light technology and equipment to enhance the performances of the theater;

• Hardy’s Chapel Volunteer Fire Department in Putnam County, which was awarded $5,000 to purchase new computers and software to better track and log the day-to-day operations of the department in its ongoing service to the community;

• Heavenly Host Lutheran Early Childhood in Putnam County, which was awarded $5,000 to purchase a Wi-Fi system from Twin Lakes that includes AP Wi-Fi 6 Mesh, labor, programming and installation and to install a projector and projection screen in the center;

• Helping Hands of Putnam County, which was awarded $5,000 to improve the computer network and phone system with infrastructure upgrades to replace the outdated telephone system, through Twin Lakes, and computer and equipment;

• Junior CAVS Cross Country in Putnam County, which was awarded $5,000 to purchase a new timing system equipment to improve efficiency of scoring;

• L. B. J. & C. Foster Grandparent Program in Putnam County, which was awarded $4,600 to purchase chrome books for grandparents, who mentor children with special or exceptional needs, to help facilitate trainings, on and off site as well as learning new technology skills;

• Monterey Youth Baseball in Putnam County, which was awarded $2,387 to purchase and install a working sound system that includes all weather stadium speakers, Bluetooth mixer amplifier and a paging microphone;

• Muddy Pond Volunteer Fire Department in Putnam County, which was awarded $5,000 to purchase new Motorola pagers for the firefighters;

• Next Step for Life in Putnam County, which was awarded $5,000 to purchase two Mac computers for administrative work;

• Park View School in Putnam County, which was awarded $4,900 to purchase iPads and charging stations for student classrooms;

• Plateau Amateur Radio Club in Overton County, which was awarded $3,000 to establish a radio telecommunication repeater in Livingston, TN to provide radio coverage for the surrounding areas;

• Putnam and Jackson County Homeschool Inc. in Jackson County, which was awarded $5,000 to purchase new updated laptops and photography equipment to continue to improve the riding need for the activities set before them;

• Restoring Hope in Putnam County, which was awarded $4,900 to install an internet/Wi-Fi connection for staff to be able to access information, a computer, a document and barcode scanner, a laminator, and database management system;

• Rickman Elementary School in Overton County, which was awarded $5,000 to purchase two interactive ViewSonic boards for the classrooms;

• Tennessee Volunteer Communications Team in Fentress County, which was awarded $5,000 to provide a total emergency communication backup system for the county when all forms of communication are down;

• The Hope Chest in Fentress County, which was awarded $4,990 to purchase a Twin Lakes security system that can be utilized to protect individuals and alert proper authority in the event of a crisis;

• This is Living Ministries in Putnam County, which was awarded $4,893 to purchase 7 laptops to be used by the staff in operation and the students for school and workforce development activities;

• Upperman Youth Baseball League in Putnam County, which was awarded $5,000 to connect their concession stand/scoreboard area to internet for smart communications abilities such as Internet, cameras, and sensors from Twin Lakes; and

• West End Volunteer Fire Department in Jackson County, which was awarded $5,000 to purchase a thermal imaging camera for the fire department.

Twin Lakes, established in 1951, is a customer-centric fiber optic telecommunications company, providing 100% fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) gigabit broadband internet, voice, HDTV, and security to over 30,000 customers in Tennessee.  For more information, please visit www.twinlakes.net.