CLAY COUNTY-With the physical year coming to a close last month, Clay County Mayor Dale Reagan has reported it has been a very successful year when it comes to grants benefiting the county here.

The Clay County Library has received a grant of $1.7 million, and director Alecia Burns said the funding will result in the square footage of the building almost doubling.

Clay County EMS has been awarded a $1.3 million grant, which local EMS director Andrew Hall explained will enable the updating of equipment, supplies, and the purchase of two new ambulances. 

The Clay County Health Department received a grant totaling over $300,000.

Local county director Matt Tuck said the grant provided the opportunity for roof, canopy, sidewalk, parking lot, and HVAC renovation.

Clay County Chamber of Commerce Director Doug Young reported several beneficial grants, including over $250,000 for the renovation of the Hermitage Springs Park and a $100,000 five-year American Recovery Plan grant enabling the chamber to fill the new director of tourism position. 

The same grant also provides funding for marketing in Clay County, and, along with another $12,000 marketing grant, has enabled the promotion of tourism, which has attracted record-breaking numbers of visitors in each of the past four years.

Young also said a ThreeStar Grant allowed the chamber to seek professional assistance towards the development of a Three-year Strategic Tourism Plan.

A $100,000 Tourism Enhancement Grant has provided funding for improvements at the Clay County Park, which includes renovating the restrooms at the ball fields, a fence for the arena, and handrails and a ramp for the bleachers.

A new portico is also being planned for the entertainment building and new stage curtains have been installed, plus a $20,000 ThreeStar Grant provided a new electronic message board for announcing park events.

A $25,000 Placemaker Grant has also allowed the Chamber to provide professional marketing assistance to retail business owners in Clay County.

Thomas Watson, Historic Courthouse Curator, has reported that another $150,000 Grant has gone towards the restoration of the iconic building.

Beverly Holifield, Clay County Museum Director, also explained $95,000 has been granted to her organization to renovate and add square footage to the museum and to restore the Cordell Hull Law Office.

Haley Barnes, University of Tennessee Extension county director, obtained a $50K ARC IT and Communications grant to upgrade computers not only in the extension office, but also in the mayor’s office, at the sheriffs department, and other offices.

In addition, the Clay County Ant-Drug Coalition has been funded through multiple grants, and the Clay County School System and many others have benefited from grant funding throughout the year.