Wartrace receives $43K grant, Bredesen visit

Gov. Phil Bredesen chats with children following a ceremony in Wartrace at which he announced a $43,440 revitalization grant. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Gov. Phil Bredesen visited Wartrace on Friday to announce a $43,440 grant for revitalization of the town, including victorian street lights, benches, trash receptacles and sidewalk repair.

"This is precisely the kind of place people think of when you say Tennessee," said Bredesen, during a ceremony held in the shadow of the town's iconic wellhouse. "People are always looking for ways to connect to the past."

He said that while no community needs to live "under a bell jar," preservation efforts and efforts to bring a pleasing, unified appearance are beneficial.

"I think that a unified effort is really vital," said Bredesen. He noted that the grant would supplement efforts already undertaken by the town, including money raised through the annual Wartrace Music Festival.

The grant came through a federally-funded program administered by Tennessee Department of Transportation.

"Through the Enhancement Grant Program, TDOT has helped fund approximately $189 million in transportation-related projects such as the restoration of historic facilities, bike and pedestrian trails, landscaping and other non-traditional transportation projects," said Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely in a news release announcing the grant. The federal grant program was established in the early 1990s.

From left, State Sen. Jim Tracy, Wartrace Mayor Don Gallagher, Gov. Phil Bredesen, County Mayor Eugene Ray and State Rep. Curt Cobb celebrate a $43,440 community revitalization grant for the Town of Wartrace. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Bredesen was introduced by State Rep. Curt Cobb, who praised the governor for his work not only to improve education, but a variety of programs affecting children. After leaving the ceremony in Wartrace, Bredesen attended a campaign event for Cobb held at the Hall of Fame club inside Calsonic Arena.

Wartrace Mayor Don Gallagher thanked Bredesen and praised Cobb, State Sen. Jim Tracy and County Mayor Eugene Ray as "the dynamic trio," saying their work was instrumental in obtaining grant funds, and also thanked the South Central Tennessee Development District for writing the grant proposal. He praised the townspeople who work to support efforts like the music festival.

State issues

After the ceremony, Bredesen told the Times-Gazette that the newly-announced Volkswagen plant would likely lead to spinoff jobs by bringing more automotive suppliers to the Volunteer State.

The governor said that the slowdown in state revenues due to the economy is a concern, but "not a disaster," and that the state needs to live within its means and stick to its policy of using savings to pay for operating expenses.

An employee buyout program is progressing more slowly than hoped, leading to the possibility of state employee layoffs, but Bredesen said he is taking the process one step at a time because of various legal obligations and requirements.

"From there, we'll look at what we have to do," Bredesen said.

The Governor has not yet finalized his schedule for next month, he says, and is not sure whether he'll be able to attend the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.