Shelbyville, Tennessee · Tuesday, February 9, 2010
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Growth and development

Zoning change urged for South Main land (02/02/10)
Shelbyville's planning commission recommended amending the city's land use plan Thursday to change an area from low to high density residential to reflect the actual current use in the region. Planners and engineers for the city recommended that an area between South Main and South Jefferson Streets, described as "a triangle shaped plot," be amended as high density residential...
Unemployment rate up by 0.3% in county (01/29/10)
Bedford County's jobless rate rose once again in December, bringing the unemployment numbers for the county to 12.6 percent. Preliminary figures released by the state's department of labor and workforce development Thursday showed the jobless rate rose 0.3 percent last month...
Workers available, job study shows (01/26/10)
A study conducted last summer by Middle Tennessee State University's Business and Economic Research Center (BERC) of a seven-county region of Southern Middle Tennessee, including Bedford County, shows that out of a work force of 121,782, not only were 18,523 unemployed but a similar number -- 18,055 -- were underemployed...
Sprinklers: Worth the expense? (01/24/10)
Shelbyville has adopted the 2009 International Building Codes, but specifically exempted itself from the section of that code which would require fire protection sprinkler systems on new one-family and two-family homes. Bedford County is on track to do exactly the same, based on a recommendation from Bedford County Planning Commission which will be considered next month by Bedford County Board of Commissioners...
'I'm home now,' says new city codes director (01/20/10)
Listening is what Ed Dodson, Shelbyville's new planning and codes director, intends to focus on in his first few months on the job. Dodson has returned home to Bedford County to fill the position left vacant by the resignation last fall of Kip Green...
Residential sprinklers may not be required (01/20/10)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners' rules and legislative committee placed a proposal that the county adopt the 2009 International Building Code but exempt itself from residential sprinkler systems on the full commission's February agenda, but did not add its own recommendation...
I-3 Zone approved by City Council (01/15/10)
Shelbyville's city council voted Thursday to re-enact the creation of a Special Impact Industrial District geared for specific facilities. A public hearing and final reading was held Thursday night for an ordinance that establishes an I-3, or Industrial Zone, in Shelbyville -- which has been at the center of a five-year lawsuit over a rock quarry...
Bell Buckle makes sign rules clearer (01/14/10)
Those wanting to put up signs in Bell Buckle, whether it's a business sign or a yard sign for their favorite politician, need to check with the Town Hall first. Bell Buckle Board of Mayor and Aldermen, meeting Tuesday night, approved an ordinance that will let sign owners know what is acceptable where...
'Ugly' signs may be changed (01/12/10)
Shelbyville's council may take action later this year on the use of flashing yellow signs around the city, voting to require them to be made permanent. But the matter will have to go to the city's planning commission before anything can be done. Mayor Wallace Cartwright said that the council has spoken about the issue "more than once," but had not taken any action on it...
Home sprinklers unlikely in new codes (01/06/10)
Bedford County Planning Commission recommended Tuesday night that the county adopt the 2009 edition of the International Building Codes but exempt itself from the portion of the code requiring fire sprinklers for one-family and two-family homes. The final decision will have to be made by Bedford County Board of Commissioners...
County's jobless rate shows slight increase during November (12/24/09)
Preliminary unemployment figures released Wednesday showed a slight rise in the county's jobless rate. Unemployment in Bedford County in November held steady at 12.3 percent, the same figure released for October. However, revised figures for October resulted in a rate of 12.2 percent for that month, indicating the county jobless rate increased by 0.1 percent...
Newly chosen codes director knows city well (12/22/09)
A Bedford County native will be returning home to fill the position of Director of Codes and Planning for Shelbyville. W. Edward Dodson, who currently lists his home address as Atlanta, has been selected for the job, following interviews with six applicants, according to city recorder Betty Lamb...
City quarry decision may await court ruling (12/17/09)
Shelbyville has yet to respond to a letter from a local business that has asked to have a 5-year-old application for a rock quarry heard. However, the city recorder said that the matter may have to wait until the Tennessee Supreme Court rules on an appeal requested last week by Shelbyville City Council...
Building sale proceeds may go to industrial park (12/16/09)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners' courthouse and property committee gave its recommendation to a proposal that a building on North Main Street, jointly owned by Shelbyville and Bedford County, be sold and the proceeds applied towards the cost of developing an industrial park...
Decision near on planning/codes hire (12/16/09)
City officials could make their decision by Friday who will be heading up the city's planning and codes department. Interviews for the position were completed Monday morning and while the names of those who have applied have not been released, more than half of the applicants have local ties...
Bell Buckle employees will receive Christmas bonuses (12/10/09)
The five employees of the town of Bell Buckle will be having a merrier Christmas than they might have hoped. Although they were warned by Mayor Dennis Webb during the budget process earlier this year not to count on Christmas bonuses in light of the current economy, they will be getting them after all...
New packaging center a 'Christmas present' in tight economy (12/06/09)
Newell Rubbermaid celebrated the opening of its packaging operations center on Friday with tours for local VIPs and on Saturday with a luncheon for employees and their families. The 133,000-square-foot packaging center adjoins the existing 568,000-square-foot distribution center on Railroad Avenue. It includes packaging functions which were formerly located at Newell Rubbermaid's manufacturing plant on Sharpie Way...
A joyful noise as horn maker relocates to Flat Creek (12/06/09)
A musician, an engineer, a blacksmith and a machinist walk into a workshop ... No, it's not the opening line of a joke. It's the start of a working day for Roy Lawler, who is the musician. And, in a way, the engineer, blacksmith and machinist. Roy makes trumpets, flugelhorns and trombones, and after 30 years of experience, he's pretty good at it...
Industrial park to be considered (12/03/09)
Forming a committee to examine the idea of an industrial park will be on the city council's agenda next week. The idea came before the Shelbyville council Tuesday evening after Walt Wood, chief executive officer of Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, urged members to follow the advice recently given by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) representatives on how to attract industry and jobs to the region...
Proposed Unionville store plan approved (12/02/09)
Bedford County Planning Commission on Tuesday night approved a site plan for a Dollar General Store in Unionville. The Goodlettsville-based discount retailer will pour a pad this week at the site of its first rural store in Bedford County, just south of Deason. The Unionville store would be the second located outside Shelbyville...
Planning meeting canceled after agenda vacated (12/01/09)
Shelbyville's planning commission has canceled the meeting that was set for Thursday after all items were pulled from the agenda. The commission had set the Dec. 3 meeting to cover business for both November and December, but the T-G was informed Monday that no meeting would be held...
Ease of building, location important, leaders told (11/19/09)
A representative of Tennessee Valley Authority told city and Chamber of Commerce officials that a public-owned industrial park was a key to attracting industry, but must be carefully planned and designed in order to be of any use. Ensuring that utilities are available or can be made available quickly, and doing environmental studies in advance, are among the steps that differentiate between open farm land and a true industrial park, said Deborah Cameron, an economic development specialist with TVA.. ...
Wood: Industries considering area (11/13/09)
Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce CEO Walt Wood said the number of industrial prospects looking at the community is growing, and that the county has been on the "short short list" for several companies this year. Wood spoke Thursday to the Rotary Club of Shelbyville...
'Critical' employment ad up for council vote (11/08/09)
Advertising for a planning and codes director, as well as a new city manager, will be voted on Thursday by the Shelbyville City Council. City recorder Betty Lamb told council members during Tuesday's study session that "it is absolutely critical" that the city hire someone to fill the planning and codes position...
City loses appeal of zoning lawsuit (11/06/09)
The city of Shelbyville has lost an appeal with a local paving company who claimed the city did not give adequate notice of a change in zoning laws they say impacted their property. But the impact of the court ruling may be moot since the city will likely pass an identical ordinance next week after the appeals court declared the old one invalid...
Local native manages massive development (10/28/09)
Bedford County native Fred Davis plays a key role in supervising a big project. How big? Ten billion dollars big. No, that wasn't a misprint. Billon, with a "B." Davis, a program manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is supervising the project managers constructing what amounts to a new high-rise city at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, about 50 miles south of Seoul, Korea...
Unemployment rate drops (10/27/09)
Bedford County's unemployment rate for September dropped from 12.5 percent to 12.1 percent, according to figures released by Tennessee Department of Employment Security. Bedford County had a labor force of 22,460 in September, with 19,730 employed and 2,730 unemployed...
New medical building will break ground in November (10/22/09)
Groundbreaking for Bedford County's newest medical facility, Russell Plaza, has been set for November, according to its namesake. In August, plans were submitted to the city of Shelbyville for a 30,000-square-foot building that was believed at the time to be office space for local physicians...
Former Bumpers / Sonic location torn down (10/14/09)
Planners approve site plan for Dollar General in Deason (10/07/09)
Bedford County Planning Commission approved a site plan for the planned Dollar General store at 3225 U.S. 231 North in Deason, and also approved a change in the county's subdivision regulations which was proposed several months ago as a result of the development...
GM to kill Saturn brand after Penske deal falls apart (10/01/09)
DETROIT (AP) -- For those who expected General Motors' once-funky Saturn brand to live on with a new owner, there has been a sad twist. Saturn, once billed as a different kind of car company, appears as dead as Pontiac and Oldsmobile. At the brand's 350 remaining dealers around the country, there were high hopes that a deal would be announced for GM to sell the brand to former race car driver and auto industry magnate Roger Penske...
At long last, bypass work begins (09/29/09)
The blue "stimulus" signs are up on U.S. 41-A South, signaling that work is now ongoing on the long-awaited construction of State Route 437 (Shelbyville bypass). Completion is estimated by July 31, 2011, according to B.J. Doughty, community relations officer for the Tennessee Department of Transportation...
Design guidelines favored by planners (09/25/09)
Shelbyville's planning commission gave its approval Thursday night to new design guidelines. The guidelines are intended to be only recommendations to firms and individuals submitting site plans to the city and will have to be approved by the city council,...
County's jobless rate rises slightly for August (09/25/09)
Bedford County's jobless rate has risen slightly to 12.5 percent for the month of August, according to preliminary figures released Thursday by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The rate rose 0.1 percentage point from the revised July figure of 12.4 percent unemployment for the county...
Recession? What recession? In Bell Buckle, profits roll (09/22/09)
The recession is over -- and it isn't. Unemployment is down -- and it's up. Prices are dropping, skyrocketing, or remaining stable. It seems every newspaper, every news program and everybody is an expert on the economy, yet every one of them has a different interpretation on what's going on in the marketplace...
Leadership Bedford class learns team-building (09/16/09)
It always seems like a lot of fun when they first start out -- a few warm-up exercises, a couple of team-building games ... but by noon, the members of Leadership Bedford's newest class are usually tired and sweaty -- and still having fun. The program, which takes community leaders and lets them discover many facets of life in Bedford County -- as well as improve it -- kicked off this weekend with the annual retreat. ...
County uses 'recovery zone' to woo new industry (09/09/09)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday night to designate the entire county as a "recovery zone," which could serve as a recruiting tool by making any new industry locating here eligible for a discounted interest rate on its industrial bond financing...
Inspector gives all clear for buildings near demolition site (09/08/09)
Shelbyville's building inspector has found everything is all right on the east side of the square as far as structural integrity goes after a citizen expressed concern about the status of aging buildings. According to the city manager, officials hope to take a look at other structures on and around the public square to see how they are holding up...
Commission to consider rezoning, Voter Confidence Act (09/08/09)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners will consider a rezoning for the proposed Dollar General Store in Deason and a resolution asking the state to delay implementing the Voter Confidence Act. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the second floor courtroom at the county courthouse...
Planning commission approves Russell Plaza (08/28/09)
A number of items being dropped from the agenda led to a short meeting for the Shelbyville Planning Commission, with site plans for one medical building approved and the other tabled until next month. The commission quickly gave approval for Russell Plaza, a 30,000-square foot, two-story medical office building to be located on Frank Martin Road across from the Bedford County Emergency Medical Service offices...
Bedford jobless rate drops by half-point (08/28/09)
Bedford County's unemployment rate dropped to 12.4 percent in July, according to preliminary figures released Thursday by the state's department of Labor and Workforce Development. In June, the rate leapt 1.4 percentage points to 13 percent, but the new preliminary numbers for July means a drop of 0.6 percent for Bedford County...
Medical offices to be built near hospital (08/21/09)
Shelbyville will soon see some growth near Heritage Medical Center with the planned construction of two new medical office buildings. Next week, Shelbyville's planning commission will consider site plans for two structures -- a 30,000-square foot, two-story medical office building to be located on Frank Martin Road across from the Bedford County Emergency Medical Service offices and a 16,000-square foot office building slated to be built on Airport Business Park Drive adjacent to Heritage Medical Center.. ...
Tech Center classes help jobless (08/21/09)
The Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville is offering some new classes this fall in response to the needs of the community during a weakened economy. Principles of job acquisition and financial planning are two free classes being offered. Blacksmithing is another new addition...
Serendipity on the Square (08/20/09)
Rezoning recommended for Deason store (08/20/09)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners' rules and legislative committee, meeting Tuesday night, recommended a zoning change from A-1 (agriculture) to C-1 (commercial) for a site at 3225 U.S. 231 North in Deason which has been proposed for a Dollar General Store, according to County Mayor Eugene Ray...
Council seeks attorney's advice on Sanders land (08/14/09)
Shelbyville's city council will wait for advice from the city's attorney before deciding how to compensate a man who bought property from the city, only to later learn it actually belonged to the railroad. In December 1995, Bobby Sanders purchased land from the city on East Lane Street. ...
Newell Rubbermaid jobs moving to Shelbyville (08/09/09)
Newell Rubbermaid informed employees on Friday that it would consolidate its Maryville distribution operations into the Shelbyville distribution center by early next year, affecting 40 jobs in Maryville. Displaced Maryville employees will have the option to apply for open positions at NewellRubbermaid's manufacturing facility there or at the Shelbyville distribution facility...
Shelbyville may begin purchase of blighted homes (08/07/09)
The city of Shelbyville may soon be negotiating the purchases of homes and structures in order to put them in front of a wrecking ball at some point down the road. Among items the city council will vote on next Thursday will be approval for city manager Ed Craig and planning and codes director Kip Green to work out the prices and acquire blighted properties under the Neighborhood Stabilization Housing Grant that Shelbyville recently received...
City building guidelines near planning commission vote (07/26/09)
Shelbyville's planning commission concluded its review of design guidelines Thursday and will vote on the document's final approval next month. The guidelines are intended to be only recommendations to firms and individuals submitting site plans to the city, and, if approved, the commission would also act as a design review commission, giving feedback to builders on site plans and taking a more active role in the process...
Suspect in fraud scheme surrenders (07/17/09)
A fifth defendant accused of a multi-million dollar mortgage fraud scheme has turned himself in to federal authorities, while two of those indicted plan to plead guilty to some of the allegations. In the meantime, the defense attorney for one of the four already accused in the alleged scheme said that action in his client's case would not move forward until sometime in the fall...
Bell Buckle amphitheatre under budget (07/16/09)
Despite a few technical sound and lighting glitches, the opening night at the Bell Buckle Park's new amphitheater on July 4 was a big success, said Alderman Jenny Hunt last week. According to Alderman James Anderson, it's been a construction success as well...
Crape myrtles beautify Shelbyville's landscape (07/15/09)
Tennessee walking horses, pencils and basketball are all part of Bedford County's identity. But there's another marker, a little more subtle, that adds charm as well as beauty to this small Southern city and county. Crape myrtles, shrubs or small trees chiefly famous for their colorful and long-lasting flowers, are prevalent in Shelbyville, thanks to a project that began almost 15 years ago...
Site requests show signs of city growth (07/12/09)
While the economy still appears to be struggling along, both Shelbyville and Bedford County are beginning to see the start of some commercial growth. The city's planning and codes director, Kip Green, said that recent planning commission meetings have been limited to rezoning requests and other similar items, but very few new site plans...
Bell Buckle studies growth boundary proposals (07/12/09)
The Bell Buckle Planning Commission will be looking at any and all possibilities when it comes to re-sizing the town's urban growth boundary. At the Tuesday night meeting, the commission agreed to come up with three different proposals to present to the board of mayor and aldermen at a later date...
Dollar General request leads to rules change (07/09/09)
A proposal to build a Dollar General Store in Deason created a thorny situation for Bedford County Planning Commission, but planners eventually decided to grant a variance for the project and to change subdivision regulations so that future projects of its type would be permitted...
City to buy, destroy blighted buildings (07/09/09)
Shelbyville has been awarded a grant of over a quarter million dollars that will be used to get rid of blighted structures around town. According to city planning and codes director Kip Green, the $326,023 grant is from the National Stabilization Program (NSP), part of Phase I of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, also known as the first "stimulus package" that was signed into law by former president George W. Bush...
Insurance claim denial impacts East Depot actions (07/07/09)
Shelbyville officials may be running into legal snags with getting money from a property owner for the demolition of two buildings. City attorney Ginger Shofner told Shelbyville's city council that the insurance company for Alice Albrecht, the owner of 109 East Depot St., one of the unsafe buildings brought down last year, has denied her claim...
Delay sought for city building guidelines (06/30/09)
A member of Shelbyville's planning commission wants to table design guidelines for two years, claiming that the recommendations would make builders think twice about doing business here. Henry Wilhoite told fellow commissioners that builders were "not happy" with the guidelines which are to be recommendations to firms and individuals submitting site plans to the city. The design guidelines will give builders an idea of what is expected or favored by Shelbyville...
Jobless rate up to 11.5 percent (06/28/09)
Jobless numbers for Bedford County jumped once again to a new high of 11.5 percent for the month of May, according to preliminary figures released Thursday by the Department of Labor & Workforce Development. The latest figures show that unemployment was nearly double last year's rate of 6.1 percent. It was also an increase from April's rate of 10.7 percent...
Consultant: old hospital a bad idea as jail (06/17/09)
A consultant from the University of Tennessee's County Technical Assistance Service told Bedford County commission members on Tuesday that moving prisoners into the old Bedford County Medical Center building on Union Street would not be the financial boon that had been informally projected last month...
Planners to address Belmont district (06/17/09)
Shelbyville's planning commission will look over several rezoning requests when it meets next Thursday, including one in a historic district that may provoke discussion. James Farrar is requesting that property at 507 Belmont Ave. be rezoned from R-3 (medium density residential) to R-4 (high density residential), which would be contrary to the region's current land use plan, according to comments by the city's planning and engineering staff...
Sludge tank to be removed (06/12/09)
A dispute over a storage tank that was built to store agricultural sludge on U.S. 41-A South was resolved after an agreement was made to purchase the land and dismantle the structure. During Tuesday's Bedford County Board of Commissioners meeting, a group of citizens that were concerned about the tank owned by Wayne Simons were directed to the Solid Waste Authority board to express their views...
AEDC work force faces reduction (06/12/09)
President Obama's 2010 budget request includes a $24 million reduction in funding for contractor labor at the U.S. Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center, according to an AEDC news release. The cuts would take effect Oct. 1, with the start of a new federal fiscal year...
Commissioners to consider zoning changes (06/04/09)
Two rezoning requests and some routine annual allocations are the highlights of a relatively-slim agenda for Tuesday night's meeting of Bedford County Board of Commissioners, perhaps marking the calm before the storm as the commission braces itself for what is expected to be a difficult budget year...
Jobs still there for persistent teenagers (06/04/09)
As a result of a troubled economy, many workers across the nation have lost their jobs -- and the same holds true for Bedford County. The local unemployment rate has risen to double digits in recent months, figures that are nearly twice what they were at the beginning of last year...
New direction ahead for Depot Street? (06/03/09)
Shelbyville City Council, after hearing from merchants in the affected area, may try keeping the segment of Depot Street closest to the square as one-way but making it westbound rather than eastbound. The issue was discussed at a study session Tuesday night...
Spring Hill closure will have local impact (06/02/09)
Although exact numbers weren't available, officials say the temporary closing of the General Motors Spring Hill plant will affect Bedford County. Walt Wood, CEO of Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, did not have a figure for the number of GM employees living in Bedford County, even after checking with state officials...
County unemployment dips slightly (05/29/09)
Bedford County's unemployment rate fell to 10.7 percent for April, according to preliminary figures released Thursday by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, down from 11.2 percent in March. The good news is that while the jobless rate for Tennessee rose last month to 9.9 percent, 0.3 percentage point higher than the rate from March, the figures fell for many counties, including here...
Little Caesar's seeks approval for location (05/26/09)
Pizza maker Little Caesar's is planning a return to Shelbyville. The restaurant was previously located on Madison St. in the old Bi-Lo shopping center. A site approval plan for the chain is on the agenda for Thursday's meeting of the city's planning commission...
Mortgage fraud suspects released on $20K bonds (05/21/09)
The four individuals charged with bank fraud and money laundering earlier this week have been released after signing an agreement with federal prosecutors. Roger Ritch, of Shelbyville, along with William McMahan, Jonathan Henderson and Carrie Snow, all of Murfreesboro, appeared before a federal magistrate in Chattanooga Tuesday, following their arrest in connection with an alleged multi-million dollar mortgage fraud scheme involving hundreds of homes in Shelbyville...
Rezoning requests get rules committee nod (05/20/09)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners' rules and legislative committee recommended two rezoning requests on U.S. 41-A (Unionville Highway) during its meeting Tuesday night. Jamie Garrett has requested that his property at 2686 U.S. 41-A (Hen House Restaurant) and his property at 2678 U.S. 41-A (Garrett's Automotive) both be re-zoned from A-1 (agriculture) to C-2 (commercial)...
Bank fraud bust nets four (05/19/09)
Four arrests were made this morning in a multi-million dollar mortgage fraud scheme involving hundreds of homes in Shelbyville. The arrests were the result of a 16-month joint investigation by the Bedford County Sheriff's Department, the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service...
Investigation was learning process for detective (05/19/09)
For Detective Sergeant Brian Farris, this morning's arrest of four individuals accused of running a massive mortgage fraud scam is the result of countless hours of work. Farris told the Times-Gazette he is happy that the long investigation is finally over with; it has taken up "a lot of long days and nights" for both him and federal investigators...
Urban Growth Boundary gains city approval (05/15/09)
Shelbyville's city council gave its OK to the city's new expanded Urban Growth Boundary during its regularly scheduled meeting Thursday. The new boundary is part of the comprehensive study and plan developed by Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon (BWSC), which was recommended to the council by the city's planning commission and calls for the city's UGB to be expanded northward...
GM dealers wait for word (05/15/09)
DETROIT -- A day after Chrysler LLC told a quarter of its dealers that it won't renew their contracts, owners of General Motors Corp. dealerships are awaiting word on whether they will be next. GM said it will notify 1,100 U.S. dealers today that their franchise agreements will not be renewed. Dealers expect to hear either by telephone or FedEx letters that will begin arriving this morning...
National Pen to add jobs, but few details known (05/14/09)
National Pen Company has announced that it will close its operations in Manila, Philippines, and bring those sales and customer service jobs back to the company's existing facility in Shelbyville, but Cathy Tollett of the company could not provide any specifics about how many new jobs would be created, how many jobs existed at the Manila location, or how soon the company might begin hiring...
Wartrace bumps to slow speeders (05/13/09)
Speeders on West Bridge Street in Wartrace, consider this fair warning. The town is about to install speed bumps. "There's a 'Children at Play' sign there, but people are ignoring it," said Wartrace resident Kelly Thompson, who approached the board of mayor and aldermen at the May meeting Monday night...
Area growth gets closer look (05/10/09)
Shelbyville's city council will vote this week on expanding the city's Urban Growth Boundary to the north and to create a new planning authority. City manager Ed Craig said county mayor Eugene Ray has asked that each of Bedford's municipalities submit a request to them to have their planning commissions become regional planning commissions...
Low bids announced for bypass (05/10/09)
The low bids for the long-awaited Shelbyville bypass were identified by the Tennessee Department of Transportation Friday. According to TDOT spokesperson B.J. Doughty, if all goes according to plan, the winning bid could be announced by the middle of June at the earliest...
Depot Street traffic concerns merchants (05/07/09)
Merchants from both on and off the public square told Shelbyville's city council Tuesday they would like take another look at traffic and parking patterns on East Depot Street. The street is now 60 days into a 90-day trial period to test the street as a one-way, outbound road from the public square...
City seeks to recover Depot Street demolition costs (05/07/09)
The city of Shelbyville will soon move to recover demolition costs from the owner of a Depot Street building. Total costs for last year's razing and restoration of the site where two buildings once stood off the public square comes to $225,215.24, according to information provided to the city council Tuesday...
Stimulus funds upgrade for South Maple Apartments (04/30/09)
Over three quarters of a million dollars in federal stimulus money is planned to be used for improvements to South Maple Apartments by the Shelbyville Housing Authority. It's part of $4 billion that is being used in an effort to create jobs by fixing up public housing projects across the nation. Shelbyville's cut of that money is $829,593...
Closer look at proposed design guidelines (04/26/09)
With just enough members to hold a meeting, the Shelbyville Planning Commission swiftly approved several items, while postponing examination of design guidelines until next month. The commission had planned to begin review of the 18 pages of guidelines, which are intended to be only recommendations to firms and individuals submitting site plans to the city...
SBA will offer disaster assistance to Bedford (04/26/09)
NASHVILLE -- Gov. Phil Bredesen Friday announced the Small Business Administration has issued a Disaster Declaration for Rutherford County and the seven adjacent counties -- Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, Davidson, Marshall, Williamson and Wilson -- for tornadoes that struck on April 10. An SBA disaster declaration makes homeowners and businesses affected by the disaster eligible for low-interest loans...
County's unemployment now 11.2 percent (04/26/09)
Bedford County's unemployment rate jumped again -- this time to 11.2 percent, according to preliminary figures released Thursday by the state department of Labor & Workforce Development. That's 87 percent higher than the jobless rate was reported for the county a year ago, when unemployment was at only 6 percent...
Re-zoning recommended for property (04/22/09)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners' rules and legislative committee recommended a re-zoning at 3164 U.S. 231 North from A-1 (agriculture) to C-1 (commercial). William Ty Irby Sr. is requesting the rezoning; the rules committee agenda stated that Irby wants to put a real estate services office at the site...
Newell Rubbermaid breaks ground on packaging facility (04/16/09)
Newell Rubbermaid Office Products broke ground Wednesday on a new 155,000-square-foot packaging center next to its distribution center on Railroad Avenue. "The packaging center is designed to ... meet the needs of continuous improvement, to provide jobs and work and expansion for many years yet to come," said Jim Cunningham, senior human resource manager for the company in Shelbyville...
Bell Buckle creates historic zoning commission (04/16/09)
The Bell Buckle Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the formation of a new Historic Zoning Commission by passing a resolution at its Tuesday night meeting. Mayor Dennis Webb and Rodney Simmons explained the function and composition of the commission to aldermen and visitors again, stressing that the primary concern is for external appearances of buildings in the C-1 and C-2 downtown district...
Bypass, Belmont bridge on governor's budget list (04/15/09)
The northeast bypass around Shelbyville (State Route 437), continued widening of U.S. 41-A between Shelbyville and Tullahoma, and replacement of the Duck River bridge on Belmont Avenue (State Route 130) are all in a list of transportation projects requested Wednesday by Gov. Phil Bredesen...
County to take over Nestledown road work (04/15/09)
Bedford County will be taking care of roads at Nestledown Crossing Subdivision following the signing of an agreed order between a homeowners association and the county. In February, the county commission authorized the county attorney, Ginger Shofner, to negotiate a settlement in the lawsuit filed by attorney Jeff Seckler, his wife, Gina, and the Nestledown Crossing Homeowners Association...
Census workers hit streets (04/14/09)
Folks began going door-to-door Monday to make sure everyone is counted. The U.S. Census Bureau has launched its first major on-the-ground operation in Tennessee to prepare for the nationwide count in spring 2010. April 1 marked one year prior to Census Day. More than 3,000 census workers have begun going block-by-block across Tennessee to develop a correct and complete address list...
City seeks federal funds to demolish eyesores (04/10/09)
The City of Shelbyville voted Thursday to apply for a grant for over a quarter million dollars that would go toward getting rid of blighted structures around town. The National Stabilization Program (NSP) grant would be for $326,023 and would be given under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, also known as the first stimulus package that was signed into law by former president George W. Bush...
City proposes guidelines for buildings, signs (04/03/09)
Shelbyville's city council will vote next week on an amendment to the city's sign ordinance that would address what some consider unsightly buildings occupied by Hispanic merchants. Mayor Wallace Cartwright said he has been hearing many concerns from residents and businesses about the appearance of local Hispanic establishments in Shelbyville and wants to alter the city's ordinance to say that signs can not be painted on buildings, among other changes...
Bell Buckle to take closer look at 'The Hill' (04/03/09)
Rumors of a developer interested in "The Hill" prompted Bell Buckle Planning Commission Chairman Rodney Simmons to suggest annexing the area. The same rumor was why Mayor Dennis Webb asked the commission to wait. "It's something that needs to be looked at but now is not the time," said Webb. "I think an attempt to annex now would smack of political correctness. I would like to find out what's going on out there."...
Web site readers divided on how soon economy will improve (04/02/09)
More than a third of the respondents to a non-scientific Times-Gazette poll think it will be 2012 or beyond before the U.S. sees meaningful imporovement in the economy, but one in five believe the economy will turn around in the second half of this year...
Celebration CEO expects decline in sponsorships (04/01/09)
Across the country -- across the globe -- it's the same. From nonprofit groups to super sports franchises, everyone is feeling the crunch as corporate sponsorship declines. In The New York Times, it was reported that the LPGA Tour is dropping four tournaments because three title sponsors dropped out, and the PGA Tour will lose three title sponsors but no events. ...
One in 10 out of work locally (03/27/09)
Bedford County's unemployment rate has nearly doubled in the past year, according to preliminary figures released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The jobless rate for February is currently at 10.8 percent, a hike of 1.1 percent points since January and 83 percent higher than the unemployment rate of 5.9 percent at this time last year...
Stimulus money to pave way for AEDC improvements (03/26/09)
The U.S. Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Center in Coffee and Franklin counties will receive more than $7.7 million in federal stimulus money for improvements. The funding comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and will be used to inspect bridges, for the repair, improvement, and paving of several roads and parking lots, and upgrades to Wattendorf Highway...
Council to settle Williams suit for $180K (03/13/09)
Shelbyville's city council has agreed to pay $180,000 plus legal fees to settle a lawsuit brought by a former building official for the city. Wayne Williams, a 12-year employee of the city, sued Shelbyville and city manager Ed Craig for breach of contract and wrongful termination in May 2007...
Historic overlay explained at Bell Buckle meeting (03/13/09)
The Bell Buckle Planning Commission learned more about historic zoning commissions and overlay districts at its March meeting Thursday night when Rob Crawford, the certified local government coordinator with the State Historical Commission, gave a presentation...
Bedford jobless rate nears 10 percent (03/06/09)
Bedford County's unemployment rate soared to 9.8 percent in January, according to preliminary figures released Thursday by the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development. At this time last year, the county's jobless rate was at 6 percent and that means that over the past year, unemployment jumped 63 percent...
Economy brings students to TTCS (03/03/09)
Uncertainty about the economy, and the closure of local factories, leads some to consider new training in search of a new job. Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville on Madison Street, faced with an influx of interest from students, is struggling to find classes for all of those who are interested, but TTCS director Ivan Jones hopes that stimulus package funds will be available to train more people...
Bill would let county upgrade Three-Star staus (03/03/09)
Last year, the county's interest in qualifying for a higher level of the Governor's Three-Star Award program -- which could save money in grant-matching funds -- clashed with the Town of Normandy's wish to avoid adopting a zoning plan. But a new bill could create a loophole to satisfy both sides...
DREMC opens new administrative building (02/23/09)
Duck River Electric Membership Corp. moved administrative offices into its new $2 million headquarters this weekend, but local DREMC customers will continue to pay bills, start or end service, or take care of other business at the main building on Madison Street...
McPhee says MTSU will proceed with Shelbyville project (02/20/09)
Middle Tennessee State University president Sidney McPhee, speaking at the annual Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce banquet on Thursday, said Tennessee Board of Regents has given its approval for MTSU to begin offering classes in Shelbyville, working in partnership with Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville and with Motlow State Community College...
Rules committee views growth plan proposal (02/18/09)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners' rules and legislative committee got its first look at proposed revisions to the county's growth plan on Tuesday night, along with a report by Charles Goforth of Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon. In the late 1990s, a new state law, Public Chapter 1101, required every county in Tennessee to develop a 20-year growth plan. ...
Traders Bank seeks branch in Shelbyville (02/17/09)
Tullahoma-based Traders Bank is requesting approval of a site plan for a 3,400 square foot branch office to be addressed by the Shelbyville Planning Commission next week. Blueprints for the site show that the proposed building, which would be the bank's first location in the Bedford County market, would be located at the corner of North Main Street and Hickory Drive...
MTSU president to speak at Chamber banquet (02/16/09)
Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee will be the guest speaker at the Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at the Blue Ribbon Circle building on the Celebration grounds...
Bypass project to heat up during spring, summer (02/15/09)
Bids for the long awaited Shelbyville bypass will be let in May with construction to begin in July, if all goes according to plan. City manager Ed Craig announced at Thursday's Shelbyville study session that city officials met this week for a review meeting with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), attended by Craig, Shelbyville mayor Wallace Cartwright and public works director Mark Clanton...
Chamber, state discuss Shelbyville Volkswagen prospects (02/10/09)
Representatives of the state and the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce visited Shelbyville Feb. 3 to discuss Shelbyville's prospects for hosting a supplier to the new Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, according to Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce CEO Walt Wood...
Jet travel firm may take flight (02/05/09)
An environmental study will be needed for land at the Shelbyville airport to attract a possible new industry specializing in jet travel. Walt Wood, CEO of Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, told Shelbyville's city council Tuesday that a firm that manufactures small jet aircraft is looking at locating here, but for the site to be seriously considered, a Phase I environmental study will be required...
Slow economy delays start of new Microtel (01/27/09)
The economic downturn is delaying work on a new hotel in Shelbyville, according to city planners, but there's a possibility that work may begin in the spring. Last October, the Shelbyville planning commission approved site plans for a new four-story, 60-plus room Microtel hotel to be located at 1207 North Main St., next to the Huddle House and the current site of Dennis Young Insurance Agency...
Sanford site plan goes before board (01/16/09)
When Shelbyville's planning commission meets next Thursday, one of the items to be considered will be the site plan for the 155,000-square-foot addition to the Sanford Distribution Center. Only a few technical issues with the drawings had to be corrected and those have been addressed by contractors, according to planning and codes director Kip Green...
Former Senior Center turned church comes down (01/15/09)
The walls at the former Senior Citizens Center/Living Stones Community Church building, 635 N. Main St., came down Wednesday to make way for a nine-unit professional office complex to be built by Rod Parsons, who bought the property from the City of Shelbyville...
Quarry zoning change denied by commissioners (01/14/09)
A sharply-divided Bedford County Board of Commissioners, by an 8-8 vote with two members abstaining, failed to pass changes in the county zoning resolution that would have made it possible to develop quarries in rural parts of the county. The proposed rules changes had already been rejected once before by the county commission, but Bedford County Planning Commission asked for them to be reconsidered...
Bell Buckle may ban first-floor downtown offices (01/14/09)
The Bell Buckle planning commission may be looking at some zoning changes when it meets Thursday at 6 p.m. Currently, regulations allow for private offices on the ground floor of buildings in the downtown area, but Planning Commission Chairman Rodney Simmons said the commission is considering changing that...
Tyson CEO steps down (01/05/09)
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Tyson Foods Inc. said Monday that its president and chief executive, Dick Bond, was stepping down immediately in a move he said was in the best interest for himself and the company. Tyson operates a processing plant in Shelbyville and numerous local farmers operate chicken houses under contract to the company...
Bypass 'ready to go' if funds approved (12/24/08)
The planned Shelbyville bypass is one of 246 so-called "ready to go" projects on which Tennessee Department of Transportation hopes to spend federal economic stimulus money if president-elect Barack Obama's relief package is approved. The bypass, which would wrap around the city's northeastern quadrant from U.S. 231 north of Shelbyville to U.S. 41-A east of Shelbyville, is the only Bedford County project on the "ready to go" list as published at Tennessee Department of Transportation's web site...
Commissioners defer action on rezoning request (12/12/08)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners, meeting Tuesday night, narrowly voted to postpone action for a month on a zoning request for an office supply store on U.S. 231 North, at the request of property owner Grady Cunningham. Cunningham has requested a zoning change from R-1 (residential) to C-2 (commercial) at his property, 2506 U.S. ...
Commission approves tax relief for hospital (12/11/08)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday night to create a Health Facilities Board, made up of the same members as the local Industrial Development Board, so that Heritage Medical Center can be taken off the county's property tax rolls. Commissioners, County Mayor Eugene Ray and County Attorney John T. ...
Commission delays demolition plans (12/10/08)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday night to conduct environmental studies of the old Harris Middle School building on Elm Street and the old Bedford County Medical Center on Union Street, but put off their demolition pending further study...
'MTSU South' not mentioned at TBR meeting (12/08/08)
Although officials said in October that Middle Tennessee State University's proposed satellite in Shelbyville would be considered by the Tennessee Board of Regents this month, there was nothing mentioned about the project at last week's meeting. The project wasn't on the agenda and didn't come up for discussion Thursday, according to TBR spokeswoman Mary Morgan...
Chamber CEO tries to drive VW business to Bedford (11/23/08)
Bedford County's top industrial recruiter said his top priority during a trip to Germany last month was to try to help Bedford County's existing automotive suppliers do business with Volkswagen, and also to possibly recruit new suppliers to the area...
BREAKING NEWS: Sanford to reorganize (11/11/08)
Sanford Corp. announced a reorganization plan today which will result in a net loss of jobs for Shelbyville, and sent employees home for the day. Look for further details in today's Times-Gazette.
Grapevine demolition bids may be considered (10/28/08)
Bids may be taken before the Shelbyville City Council's next study session for the demolition of the former Grapevine on East Depot Street. The study session has been set for Thursday, Nov. 6, which was moved from Tuesday, Nov. 4, Election Day. A very brief special called meeting took place last Tuesday to address the matter of considering proposals for the demolition of 111 E. Depot St. Councilman Al Stephenson raised the issue that the city should take bids for the work, not just proposals...
County unemployment up (10/28/08)
Bedford County's unemployment rate rose for the month of September to 7.1 percent, according to preliminary data released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. But the figures do not reflect the impact last week's announcement that Summit Polymers, Inc. will be closing its doors, leaving 263 without work...
Depot Street building may come down (10/02/08)
Costs to repair an adjoining building damaged during the recent demolition on East Depot Street could exceed $200,000, Shelbyville city council members were told Tuesday, which may lead them to order its destruction as well next week. Meanwhile, one council member said the building at 109 E. Depot should have never come down, claiming that he entered the condemned building to inspect it himself, in what another council member said would have been violation of the law...
City population may pass 25,000 by 2025 (09/30/08)
Shelbyville could see its population climb to 25,080 by the year 2025, if census estimates are correct, according to the draft of a comprehensive growth plan the city is examining. The growth plan for the city covers a 20-year period from 2008 to 2028, and describes the planning process, documents existing conditions, establishes goals and objectives, and describes the recommended plans and implementation strategies to achieve those goals and objectives...
Building's demolition gains approval (09/12/08)
With Shelbyville facing a "huge expense," the city council voted Thursday to authorize the emergency demolition of the building of 109 E. Depot St. and, possibly, the building next door. The trick will be getting the owner of the building to pay for the demolition, which will likely require litigation, the city's manager and attorney both said...
City moves toward demolition (09/09/08)
Shelbyville Mayor Wallace Cartwright inspected the walls inside The Grapevine Monday, at 113 East Depot Street. "This could come down at any minute," he said of a wall inside The Grapevine that is shared by a building deemed unsafe for habitation by the city in March...
CBAT loss disappoints area leaders (09/03/08)
The U.S. Air Force has cancelled plans for the Common Battlefield Airmen Training (CBAT) program, which Arnold Air Force Base had been under consideration to host. "I am disappointed that Middle Tennessee will not benefit from the hundreds of jobs this program would have produced," said U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon in an e-mail to the Times-Gazette...
City envisions Depot Street revitalization (09/03/08)
Turning East Depot Street into a one-way thoroughfare is one idea that is part of a revitalization project envisioned for a two block area off the public square, the Shelbyville City Council was told Tuesday. City manager Ed Craig said he had been approached by several merchants on E. Depot about making the street one way due to concerns over safety for the businesses there...
Alexander visits Bedford overpass (08/24/08)
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander visited a newly-constructed railroad overpass Friday at the site of what will soon be a northeast bypass around Shelbyville, as local officials thanked Alexander for his help in getting federal funding for the bypass project...
You don't have to like it, but understand the impact (08/14/08)
I am always astonished at the number of people who post in story and blog comments on our web site responding negatively to any mention of the Celebration's economic impact. We've had a little bit of the same type of reaction to a recent editorial which mentioned Tyson Foods' economic impact on the community...
Heavy traffic equals new business, council told (08/12/08)
Traffic flow is the key to bringing more retail businesses to Shelbyville, says the head of the city's and county's Chamber of Commerce. Walt Wood, CEO of Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, briefed city council members last week about the continuing efforts to bring more store fronts to the community...
Bell Buckle leaders look at urban growth concerns (08/08/08)
Just as Shelbyville has done recently, the town of Bell Buckle is considering changing its urban growth boundary -- but not in the way most people would expect. Where Shelbyville is planning for expansion, Bell Buckle is headed the other direction. "Would you consider pulling the UGB in -- making it more manageable and making it more meaningful?" asked Mayor Dennis Webb at a special called meeting Tuesday afternoon. ...
Vacation homes proposed for area (08/07/08)
Architect Martin Shofner presented a proposal to Bedford County Planning Commission on Tuesday night for a private recreational compound he wants to develop on New Tullahoma Highway (U.S. 41-A) between Rowesville Road and Thompson Creek Road. The 170-acre tract would be used for vacation homes. ...
Quarry zoning change approved by planners (08/06/08)
Bedford County Planning Commission approved an amendment to the county zoning resolution Tuesday night which would change the regulations for placing quarries. The change must next be approved by Bedford County Board of Commissioners in order to take effect...
Housing permits, construction increase in city (08/03/08)
The housing slowdown in Shelbyville seems to be reversing itself, with work beginning on several projects, according to the city's planning and codes director. Kip Green said in March that the nation's housing slowdown had an obvious impact on home construction in Shelbyville, with the building of new houses down 60 percent since that time last year...
Leaders mark city's future priorities (07/28/08)
Members of Shelbyville's city council and its planning commission listed their priorities Thursday to make the city a better place in the future. Taking adhesive green "dots," members marked items they thought should be priorities for the city on several large sheets that listed a series of city goals and objectives...
Corker visits AEDC, delivers upbeat message (06/10/08)
ARNOLD AFB -- Following a major shake-up at the top levels of the Air Force, area leaders were eager to hear reassuring news from Sen. Bob Corker about the status of the Common Battlefield Airman Training (CBAT) facility, and other concerns. They got it...
State says lot change would hurt county zoning (06/06/08)
According to state planners, Bedford County's rules allowing additional houses on farm lots are already more permissive than other counties', and weakening them further -- as suggested by some county commissioners -- would cripple the county's zoning resolution...
County unemployment 5.1 percent for April (06/06/08)
Bedford County's unemployment rate for April was 5.1 percent, down 0.7 percent from March, but up 1.4 percent compared to last year, according to figures released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The county had a workforce of 22,920 with 21,740 people employed and a total of 1,170 out of work. But the rate is still higher than this time last year, when it was at 3.7 percent...
Planners hear Nestledown road issue (06/05/08)
Residents of Nestledown Crossing appeared Tuesday before Bedford County Planning Commission to discuss road problems in their subdivision, but planners say the dispute is between the homeowners and developer Marvin Parker Jr., not the county. In many large subdivisions, the developer intentionally waits to complete street paving until about 80 percent of the homes have been built. ...
County may change quarry zoning rules (06/04/08)
A proposed change to the county zoning resolution might make it easier to locate quarries in rural areas -- but one neighbor of a proposed quarry on Kellertown Road, being developed by the son of a planning commission member, opposed having the project in her neighborhood...
'Main Street' members question focus (05/27/08)
Less than a year after it began forming, Shelbyville's prospective Main Street has hit a bump in the road -- but it wasn't unexpected. "It takes a bare minimum of two years to be an official Main Street organization," said Cindy Drake, chairman of the group that began in August 2007. "And you have to be a state Main Street two years before you can be a federal one."...
Spec building could help land industry (05/22/08)
Deborah Cameron of Tennessee Valley Authority told local economic leaders on Wednesday that seven out of 10 industrial prospects want to see a potential building when they visit a community. Walt Wood, of Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, said that some industries, if they've gotten a new customer or contract, need to be up and running in a very short period of time and don't have time to build a new factory from the ground up...
Rebate checks should finish by mid-July (05/17/08)
"Oh, I have mine already. I just don't know what I'm going to do with it!" Jane Bedford paused while working at Marsha's on the Square. "I haven't really thought about it." Bedford is one of the lucky ones who has already gotten her economic stimulus tax rebate from the government. Because she chose direct deposit, and her Social Security number was in the right range, she already has the money in hand. Now, she just needs to find something to spend it on...
Newly-placed trees are the wrong kind (05/17/08)
Don't get too used to seeing those new trees on the square. They are soon to be removed and won't be replaced until fall. According to City Manager Ed Craig, D & L Associates of Nashville, the landscaping company hired to plant and maintain the foliage, installed the wrong types of trees on the square...
End nears for Aleris workers (05/16/08)
The final day for 55 workers at Aleris International is coming within the next few weeks. The employment terminations are expected to commence June 8, according to a letter recently sent to Shelbyville Mayor Wallace Cartwright. Aleris announced last month it will permanently close its Shelbyville alloy plant, located on Railroad Avenue across from Central High School...
Commission approves one rezoning, not the other (05/15/08)
Bedford County Board of Commissoners approved one rezoning request Tuesday night but, after hearing complaints from neighbors, denied another. Approved was a rezoning request from Nancy Barton, who wanted property on Huffman Road rezoned from R-1 (residential) to A-1 (agriculture)...
Commission seeks bids on hospital, school buildings (05/14/08)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday night to put out a request for proposals from parties interested in buying the old Harris Middle School building and from those interested in buying the soon-to-be-vacant Bedford County Medical Center...
New trees planted on square (05/08/08)
Dirt was moved again Wednesday on the Shelbyville public square, only this time it was to finally plant the trees that have been the source of concern for both downtown merchants and city officials. Reaction to the new greenery depended on who was asked. Janet Cavna, who lives on the square and is a member of Main Street Shelbyville, said she was pleased with the result...
State study says airport site is best for soccer (05/07/08)
A state evaluation says that land near Shelbyville Municipal Airport is the best site for a proposed soccer/athletic complex, the city's park board learned Monday. The concept was a topic of discussion at last week's Shelbyville study session, with two council members, Lee Roy Cunningham and Al Stephenson, wanting to build a complex on land owned by the city's power, water and sewer utility located behind a residential area on South Brittain St...
Five-year sports facility plan outlined (05/07/08)
An outline for a five-year plan to construct a soccer/athletic complex was included in an evaluation submitted to Shelbyville by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Recreational and Educational Services. The report recommends using 42 acres of land located near the city's airport for the proposed facility, which could include eight soccer fields and four baseball/softball fields...
Groundbreaking for Learning Way Elementary (04/30/08)
Unemployment rate shows slight rise (04/28/08)
Bedford County's unemployment rate for March rose slightly to 5.8 percent, according to figures released by the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development. The county reportedly had a total work force of 22,940, with 21,610 working and 1,330 unemployed, meaning that the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percent since February...
Building's fate to be decided (04/26/08)
The fate of an East Depot Street building deemed unsafe for human habitation by the City of Shelbyville will be decided within the next month. Barrels and yellow caution tape mark the spot where bricks have fallen from the facade of 109 E. Depot. Codes official Scotty Farrar said the building was declared dangerous when its condition was brought to the city's attention at the request of owner Alice Albright, who was having "some issues" with a tenant...
Planners address church, cycles, waste treatment (04/25/08)
A new church building, a motorcycle dealership and an improved treatment plant for Tyson were some of the items addressed by the Shelbyville Planning Commission Thursday. A public hearing was held concerning Shelbyville's new subdivision regulations before the commission meeting began. No one spoke about the new rules and the commission approved the regulations after that...
Large tree must go, city says (04/23/08)
Concern about the fate of a tree on East Depot Street led to a small public hearing Tuesday between some downtown business people and city officials. Jennifer Templeton of Templeton Insurance started a petition to save the large tree in front of the business that is slated to be replaced by a pair of single stem crepe myrtles...
North Main work begins Monday (04/19/08)
The long awaited beginning of the widening of North Main Street in Shelbyville kicks off Monday with the first phase: work on the intersection with Colloredo Boulevard / Fairfield Pike. Word was received late Wednesday from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) that work would soon be underway, according to public works director Mark Clanton...
VIDEO: Tracy discusses North Main widening (04/18/08)
State Sen. Jim Tracy discusses the importance of widening North Main Street during a public hearing Thursday night. See the story here....
New roof on Blue Ribbon Circle (04/18/08)
Horse country delights tour group (04/17/08)
A Vermont-based tour company made a stop in the land of walking horses Tuesday as part of an Elderhostel Tour that included tourists from all over the country. Elderhostel is a non-profit organization that offers in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning experiences and adventures in all 50 states for folks over 60. ...
Shelbyville bypass gets funding (04/15/08)
State Senate Transportation Chairman Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) and State Rep. Curt Cobb (D-Shelbyville) have announced that the Tennessee Department of Transportation has included the Shelbyville bypass in its list of highway projects for the 2008-09 budget year...
Grant funds industrial spec building (04/11/08)
On the same week that one Shelbyville industry announced its closure, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon announced that Duck River Electric Membership Corp. has been given a $300,000 grant to help build a spec building to attract a similar-sized industry to Airport Business Park...
One-structure-per-lot rule discussed (04/10/08)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners cast a meaningless vote Tuesday night on preserving an existing provision of the zoning resolution before deciding to send the issue back to Bedford County Planning Commission. Ever since county zoning was first put into place, it has included a "one principal structure per lot" rule, which is more or less standard for zoning resolutions anywhere...
Bell Buckle aiming at cleaner property (04/10/08)
Bell Buckle passed the first reading of an ordinance establishing property maintenance regulations that will give the town a procedure to deal with residents that have overgrown or dirty lots. Mayor Dennis Webb said that there was already a measure dealing with the topic on the books, but this would give the town some recourse in dealing with the matter...
Aleris will close Shelbyville plant (04/10/08)
Aleris International Inc. announced Wednesday that it will permanently close its Shelbyville alloy plant, which is located on Railroad Avenue across from Central High School. Production will be phased out, states a news release, and the site is expected to permanently close by summer....
Bank celebrates two decades this month (04/04/08)
First Community Bank of Bedford County celebrates its 20th birthday this month, as employees and customers look back at its growth and development over the past two decades. The bank was chartered April 1, 1988, and opened for business at its Elm Street location on April 28, so bank officials decided to celebrate the anniversary during the entire month of April, according to CEO Donna Stone...
County panel wants survey on nursing home issue (04/02/08)
Inspired in part by the results of an unscientific Times-Gazette web poll, Bedford County Financial Management Committee said Tuesday night it would like to conduct a more scientific poll of local attitudes towards selling Bedford County Nursing Home...
Draft of urban growth plan revealed (04/01/08)
A preliminary working draft of Shelbyville's comprehensive growth plan lays out a list of issues and opportunities, which helps identify the city's strengths and weaknesses. The draft plan was drawn up by the design firm of Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon (BWSC), which is also working on the county's growth plans. The plan calls for the city's Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) to be expanded northward where most, if not all, of the future growth is expected to take place...
Growth plan sets goals, objectives for city (04/01/08)
While the preliminary draft of Shelbyville's comprehensive growth plan shows where new development will likely to occur, it also lists a series of goals and objectives for the city's future. The plan, which is supposed to cover a 20-year period from 2005 to 2025, is being drawn up by the design firm of Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon (BWSC) and calls for the expansion of Shelbyville's Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) to the north...
Main Street program emphasizes membership month (03/31/08)
The Main Street Shelbyville program is promoting April as "membership month" and will offer special introductory rates for 2008 memberships. Main Street is a program to promote the preservation and development of the square and the downtown areas. The organization has four membership categories:...
A record-setting flight in a Shelbyville-made plane (03/29/08)
An aircraft constructed at Shelbyville's Jabiru USA facility has set a coast-to-coast speed record for a piston engine landplane that weights a ton or less. Retired Navy pilot Earl Ferguson of Atlanta claimed the record, which was approved by the National Aeronautic Association this month. ...
Planners see urban growth blueprint (03/29/08)
Shelbyville Municipal Planning Commission got its first look at a preliminary version of the city's urban growth plan Thursday night. Charles Goforth of the design firm Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon (BWSC) briefed the commission on how the city should plan for its growth over the next 20 years...
County unemployment shows slight rise (03/29/08)
Bedford County's unemployment rate rose 0.3 percent in February to 5.7 percent, according to figures released by Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The county reportedly had a labor force of 22,990, with 21,680 working and a total of 1,310 out of work. The rate was 1.4 percent higher than this time last year, when the unemployment rate was 4.3 percent...
Tyson defends hiring practices, works with refugees (03/28/08)
Tyson Foods officials have been working with the imam of Shelbyville's Islamic mosque to bridge the cultural gap that exists between the Somali community and the rest of the public. Representatives of the company also dismissed lingering charges of Tyson hiring illegal immigrants as "myths and misconceptions."...
Tyson says it has corrected sewage issue (03/27/08)
Problems with Tyson Foods' sewage treatment facility at its chicken processing plant in Shelbyville have been corrected, according to company officials. Last Feburary, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) issued a notice of violation to Tyson Foods' environmental office in Shelbyville, stating that the plant's sewage treatment facility discharged effluent into the Duck River with levels of ammonia greater than allowed by the plant's permit...
Tyson CEO says ethanol will lead to higher food costs (03/27/08)
When Dick Bond says that the price of food will soon go up due to increased ethanol production, you'd best listen to him. He should know: he's the president and CEO of Tyson Foods. Bond paid a rare visit to the Shelbyville poultry complex Wednesday to tour the facility and meet with plant management as well as officials from around Bedford County...
VIDEO: Tyson CEO visits Shelbyville (03/27/08)
Tyson Foods CEO Dick Bond visited the firm's Shelbyville plant on Wednesday. Here, he discusses the impact of ethanol promotion on food prices: ...
New Celebration CEO hopes to involve youth (03/26/08)
Doyle Meadows, new CEO of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, spoke to an enthusiastic group of breakfast Rotarians bright and early this morning at Richard's Cafeteria. "It is such a pleasure to be here," said Meadows, a native of Texas. "The Celebration is the garden of our community chest, and I appreciate that and I appreciate [breakfast Rotarians] ... you are also part of the community chest."...
County's growth ranks 7th in Tennessee (03/22/08)
Numbers released by the U.S Census Bureau show that the population of Bedford County has jumped 15 percent since the year 2000, making it the seventh fastest growing county in Tennessee. Coming at first and second place were Rutherford and Williamson counties, and it would appear likely that the boost in their populations has spilled over into this county...
Funding cuts could threaten bypass project (03/21/08)
It's too early to tell whether a rescission of $66.3 million in federal funding to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) would impact Bedford County, according to Sen. Jim Tracy. But Tracy stated that he would "work like crazy" to keep projects like the Shelbyville bypass from dropping off TDOT's list of priority projects...
Bell Buckle sues Ritch over tap fees (03/13/08)
The Town of Bell Buckle has filed suit against an area developer over unpaid sewer tap fees. Roger Ritch, doing business as American Value Homes, was served on March 7 with a civil suit demanding a total of $14,000. The town's board voted to move forward with collecting the unpaid sewer tap fees in November that had resulted from an accounting error...
CBAT pick delayed until fall (03/12/08)
The decision on locating the Air Force's proposed Common Battlefield Airman Training Facility (CBAT), for which Arnold Air Force Base is in the running, has been delayed until fall, according to Air Force officials. Local officials have also been awaiting the release of the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the project, but that also has been delayed...
Local unemployment is 5.4 percent (03/08/08)
Bedford County's unemployment rate fell 0.1 percent in the month of January to 5.4 percent, according to figures released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. In January, the county had a workforce of 22,860, with 21,620 employed and 1,240 out of work. Compared to last year, unemployment has risen 0.8 percent from last January's rate of 4.6 percent...
Housing slowdown takes toll on local construction (03/07/08)
The nation's housing slowdown has had an obvious impact on home construction in Shelbyville, with the building of new houses down 60 percent since this time last year. City Planning Director Kip Green said building permits are down considerably from last year, with the slowdown beginning back in August 2007. But there's some good news, as the commercial sector takes a long-term view and anticipates the end of economic hard times...
More work added to North Main project (03/05/08)
The city of Shelbyville will vote next week on an addition of Northside Park Drive to the plans for the widening of North Main Street. The city asked the design firm Gresham, Smith and Partners to add the redesign of Northside Park Drive to the project, which would widen North Main from its current four lanes to five, beginning at Madison Street and ending at Palmer Drive, for a distance of 1.2 miles...
Annexation urged for Chapel Hill land (03/05/08)
CHAPEL HILL -- Planning commissioners here are recommending that annexation of 54 acres be approved next Monday by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Voting Monday this week, the commissioners endorsed a request from developer Ron Lampley who wants to build two subdivisions on State Route 99 (Eagleville Highway.)...
Bid awarded for improving busy intersection (03/04/08)
A local paving company was recently awarded the bid for work that will begin the long-anticipated widening of North Main Street. Wright Paving Contractors, Inc. was awarded the contract for work to be done at the intersection of Colloredo Boulevard and Fairfield Pike with a low bid of $260,626...
New sub regs to go before public (02/29/08)
Shelbyville's planning commission approved amendments to the city's subdivision regulations Thursday and a public hearing will be scheduled before the new rules are approved by the city council. The regulations deal with a variety of topics such as open space and are designed to make new subdivisions more livable...
Real estate signs are regulated (02/27/08)
Those signs with the arrows can be seen on many street corners at the entrance to Shelbyville's subdivisions, pointing out properties for sale by various local real estate firms. But an irate T-G reader has phoned to complain about the practice, which he termed an eyesore and encroaching on his property...
DREMC to construct new office annex (02/23/08)
Duck River Electric Membership Cooperative (DREMC) is planning to build a $2 million, 10,580-square foot annex office building near their present facility. The facility will be located at the corner of Eagle Boulevard and Learning Way, according to drawings submitted to the Shelbyville Municipal Planning Commission...
DREMC to construct new office annex (02/23/08)
Duck River Electric Membership Cooperative (DREMC) is planning to build a $2 million, 10,580-square foot annex office building near their present facility. The facility will be located at the corner of Eagle Boulevard and Learning Way, according to drawings submitted to the Shelbyville Municipal Planning Commission...
Verdict's still out on space crunch (02/20/08)
Local court officials are still considering their space problems, and haven't yet made a request to the county about how to solve them. County Mayor Eugene Ray told the county commission's courthouse and property committee Tuesday night that the court system will probably propose both a temporary and a long-term solution to the problem. ...
Depot Street speed limit restored (02/15/08)
Shelbyville's city council returned the speed limit on Depot Street to its previous limit of 45 mph after council members received a number of complaints from citizens. Several weeks ago, city manager Ed Craig directed the public works department to change the speed limit on East Depot Street from 45 to 30 mph due to the large amount of accidents that were occurring at the intersection of Depot, Bethany Lane and Coney Island Road...
County alters zoning rules (02/14/08)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners, meeting Tuesday night, approved a change to county zoning resolutions which will allow accessory buildings to be located in front of the main building in cases where the buildings are a great distance from the road...
Chamber honors four for community service (02/12/08)
Helen Garner, James Elkins, Johnny Reed and Dawn Holley were honored by Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce during the chamber's annual membership meeting and awards banquet Monday night at the Blue Ribbon Circle. Commissioner James Neeley of Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the scheduled keynote speaker, was unable to attend due to pneumonia; instead, Joe B. Brandon of the department spoke...
City bypass tops regional highway list (02/11/08)
CHAPEL HILL -- While construction of Shelbyville's eastern bypass remains the priority among regional transportation organizers who met here Thursday, a state official suggested they break a plan to four-lane Lewisburg Highway (State Route 64) into smaller projects...
City plans to destroy dilapidated buildings (02/08/08)
About a dozen eyesores around Shelbyville may soon have a date with the wrecking ball as the city seeks to demolish abandoned structures that have become public safety hazards. While there is a lengthy legal process behind the effort, city planning director Kip Green says that the rights of the property owner are of paramount concern...
Council plants roots for tree program (02/06/08)
Trees on the square and other matters were reviewed Tuesday during a special called meeting and study session of Shelbyville City Council. Before the study session, the council held a called meeting to deal with two items. Approved was a motion to authorize the mayor to execute a contract with Ron Parsons, who made a bid of $300,000 last month to purchase the old Senior Citizens Center building on North Main Street...
Winery, candy company join forces for new product (02/04/08)
A Tennessee treat is now available to the public due to two local companies combining their efforts to spread the taste of the region nationwide. Tri-Star Vineyards and Winery on Scales Road near Halls Mill has joined forces with Lynchburg Cakes and Candies to produce Tennessee Wine Drops, a candy that winery owners Perry and Elaine Casteel hope will catch on...
Chamber dinner set for Feb. 11 (01/30/08)
Tickets for the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner and awards banquet, Feb. 11 at the Blue Ribbon Circle on the Celebration grounds, must be purchased by Tuesday at the Chamber offices on South Cannon Boulevard, 684-3482. Tennessee Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development James G. Neeley will be the guest speaker, and the Chamber will present its four annual awards:...
Shelbyville projected for furniture sales growth (01/30/08)
Furniture Today magazine once again named Shelbyville as one of the top 50 small markets in the country projected to have the fastest growth in furniture and bedding sales in the next five years. The trade publication had Shelbyville at number 20 this year, listing it as one of 11 small metropolitan areas with a projected growth rate of 28 percent from now until 2012...
Travel easier to Nashville, new mall (01/29/08)
Bedford County residents who use Interstate 24 frequently may notice lighter traffic with the addition of a new exit and completion of a widening project which was opened to the public Monday. The new exit (Exit 80) is located on New Salem Highway (State Route 99) and motorists will now be able to use four travel lanes in each direction on I-24 from State Route 96 to U.S. 231 North...
Bedford lags behind state in broadband (01/28/08)
A new study by a non-profit group has revealed that Bedford County residents have lower broadband Internet speeds and that fewer use high speed service compared to the state average. Connected Tennessee released a county-by-county reading of average Internet speeds across Tennessee. The maps are intended to give broadband providers and state policy makers information on which communities need higher quality Internet service...
County jobless rate up slightly (01/29/08)
Bedford County's unemployment rate rose just 0.1 percent in December to 5.6 percent, according to figures released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The county had a total labor force of 22,610, with 21,360 employed and 1,260 out of work. The county's umemployment is 1.3 percent higher than it was a year ago, at 4.3 percent reported in December of 2006...
One property owner refutes fraud accusations (01/26/08)
One of the individuals accused of fraud involving Greystone Subdivison has brought the T-G evidence that the specific tenant to whom he is renting misrepresented the facts of his situation. Jason Neal provided extensive documentation that shows that Andrew Andreason of 414 Quarry St. gave Neal checks for rent in November and December of 2007 that were returned due to insufficient funds...
Planners elect officers, consider zoning requests (01/25/08)
Two new members were welcomed to the Shelbyville Planning Commission and officers were elected for the year during a brief meeting Thursday. Earl Pewitt and Henry Wilhoite were appointed to the commission last month by Mayor Wallace Cartwright. Chairman Morton Renegar advised the pair to consult with city planning director Kip Green to learn what the commission can and can't do...
Fraud claimed in home deals (01/24/08)
Several Shelbyville families in Greystone subdivision off Nashville Dirt Road, near North Main Street, are suddenly faced with losing the roofs over their heads -- even though they have been making their house payments on time. The families claim they have been victimized by several individuals from Murfreesboro who are purchasing properties from American Value Homes and setting up two-year leases with purchase option agreements...
Fayetteville Career Center closing (01/19/08)
Shelbyville's Career Center will be seeing more job seekers due to the closing of the state's Fayetteville office. The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development announced Friday it is closing the Fayetteville Career Center effective Jan. 25...
County growth plans presented to public (01/15/08)
"Is this the right direction?" That was the question posed to interested citizens during the first of three public meetings dealing with Bedford County's revised master growth plan. With large graphics of the different proposed plans displayed, Charles Goforth of the design firm Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon (BWSC) explained to the crowd of about 50 where the county should plan for its growth over the next 20 years...
Growth plan hearings this week (01/12/08)
If the future growth of the county is a topic that concerns you, you will have three chances to sound off with your opinion this week. A series of public hearings will be held by the Bedford County's Joint Economic Development Board (JEDB) on the subject of the comprehensive master plan that is to be used as an update to Bedford County's growth plan...
AEDC benefits area economy (01/12/08)
The U.S. Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) had an economic impact of more than $653 million on Middle Tennessee during government fiscal year 2007, which ended Sept. 30. This estimate is an increase of more than $54 million from fiscal year 2006...
Zoning relaxed for 'guest houses' (01/09/08)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners approved a change Tuesday night which was designed to loosen the zoning regulations slightly, to make it easier for families to have a guest house on their property. But some commissioners want the county to study completely eliminating the rule that was being loosened...
Chapel Hill considers zero lot line zoning (01/09/08)
CHAPEL HILL -- Planning commissioners here agreed Monday night to recommend a change in the town's zoning ordinance to allow zero lot line homes. Such new housing would be allowed as close as five feet to the side of a property owner's lot and therefore a minimum of 10 feet would be required between the homes...
Stockyard fires impact farmers (01/03/08)
Two stockyards in Tennessee burned this week and officials say the fires will hurt their areas' farm economies. Other stockyards, however, may benefit because of the fires. "Whenever you lose a facility like that, you lose some of your competition," said Rick Skillington, director of Marshall County Agricultural Extension Service. "When farmers carry their livestock to market, they like the competition."...
North Main widening study continues (01/02/08)
A preliminary field review of the widening of North Main Street in Shelbyville has been set by the Tennessee Department of Transportation [TDOT]. The review will be held Jan. 16 starting at 9 a.m. at the Region 3 office building in the Survey and Design Conference Room on the second floor at 6601 Centennial Boulevard in Nashville...
National Pen may get new work here (12/29/07)
National Pen Corp. in Shelbyville may be seeing some new faces soon. According to both the South Florida Business Journal and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Atlas Pen & Pencil Co. will close its Hollywood, Fla., facility and move its production to Shelbyville and Tijuana, Mexico, on April 1...
Planners allow apartments on the square (12/29/07)
Shelbyville's planning commission approved a zoning change Thursday that would make it easier to develop apartments on the square. The commission approved a recommendation to add apartments as a permitted use in two commercial zones. According to comments submitted by the planning and engineering staff for the city, it was recommended that the use table be amended by allowing C-1 (Central Business District) and C-2 (Highway Service District) zones for multi-family uses, or apartments...
Rules change would allow outbuildings in front of homes (12/19/07)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners' rules and legislative committee added its recommendation Tuesday night to two proposed changes to the county zoning resolution. One of the changes would allow accessory buildings (such as a garage or shed) to be placed in front of a home in the A-1(agriculture) zone, provided the home is more than three times the required minimum setback from the highway. ...
Homestead planned at Ag Center (12/12/07)
A new association is being planned with the goal of building a pioneer-style log home and outbuildings as a museum on the southwest corner of the Bedford County Agriculture and Education Center site. Organizers have the blessing of the Ag Center's board and of Bedford County Board of Commissioners. ...
And then there were two: Georgia no longer considered for CBAT (12/11/07)
Arnold Air Force Base in Coffee and Franklin counties now has a better chance of getting the Common Battlefield Airmen Training program, also known as CBAT, according to a Georgia newspaper. The Valdosta Daily Times reported Sunday that Moody Air Force Base, in Valdosta, Ga., is out of the running for the Air Force facility. It had been one of three sites, along with Arnold AFB and Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, La., under consideration to host CBAT...
Chickens run loose in parts of city (12/11/07)
As codes enforcer for the city of Shelbyville, David Langford has to deal with a variety of issues in his job. Routine items like abandoned vehicles, grass that is too high or when a neighbor's property is too messy are just some of the challenges Langford faces with the public...
Hearings set on growth plan (12/05/07)
Bedford County's Joint Economic Development Board [JEDB] will hold a series of public hearings next month on the topic of the comprehensive master plan to be used as an update to the county's growth plan. The series of public hearings are tentatively scheduled to be held Jan. 14 at Duck River Electric Membership Corporation, Jan. 15 at Cascade School and Jan. 17 at Community School. All of the meetings will start at 6 p.m...
Quintec sold to Italian firm (11/30/07)
Quintec Films Corp. on Railroad Avenue in Shelbyville has been acquired by Manuli Stretch Group of Milan, Italy, the world's largest stretch film manufacturer. The transfer became effective on Wednesday; terms of the deal were not disclosed. Manuli Stretch Group has annual sales in excess of $460 million and operates manufacturing facilities in Italy, Germany, the U.K. and Argentina...
Zoning Appeals grants exception for cabinet shop (11/30/07)
After hearing conflicting reports from neighbors, Bedford County Board of Zoning Appeals decided Thursday night to approve a special exception for a cabinet shop at 164 Big Springs Road. Ken Remfert has an existing cabinet shop but wanted to move it to a building he has purchased nearby. ...
Air Force secretary says CBAT study continues (11/28/07)
ARNOLD AFB -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne gave no new information about the possibility of Arnold Air Force Base getting the Common Battlefield Airman Training (CBAT) program during his visit on Tuesday, but said environmental surveys are still being examined...
Zoning change could allow lofts on the square (11/19/07)
A zoning change proposed for the city would make it easier to develop apartments on the square. Shelbyville Planning Commission will examine a recommendation to add apartments as a permitted use in two commercial zones when it meets next week. The commission will meet Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. in the courtroom in the Shelbyville Police Department...
Historic school building enters new phase (11/12/07)
A historic Elm Street structure has been receiving a facelift over the past few months and the public will get a chance this week to see what has been done. The building once housed Bedford County Training School, Shelbyville's school for African-Americans in the years before desegregation, which took place from 1965-67. It was later Harris Middle School. Now, it has been renovated into an office complex; the large gymnasium is in the process of restoration as well...
State main street chief to speak in Shelbyville (11/10/07)
The Shelbyville Main Street Program will host an informational meeting Wednesday at 10:30 at the Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, 100 North Cannon Blvd. Kimberly Nyberg, Main Street director for Tennessee, will provide a presentation followed by a question and answer forum...
Streetscape plans to be developed for square (11/09/07)
Shelbyville's city council only had a few items to address Thursday evening, one of them involving trees on the public square. The council passed a motion to hire Jim Douglas with Hodgson Planning and Design Services for streetscape planning for Shelbyville's Public Square, but Councilman Lee Roy Cunningham had questions about the move...
Slow progress on 41-A widening (11/07/07)
The right of way process for the future widening of U.S. 41-A to Tullahoma to four lanes is underway, but it will be until sometime in 2009 before that phase is completed, Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) officials say. But the acquisition of land is only one part of the process, with no set date for the start of construction...
Doctor's building breaks ground (11/06/07)
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Monday for Bedford Physicians Plaza, a medical office building on the campus of the new Bedford County Medical Center. Henry Trost of Franklin-based First Colony Healthcare, which is developing the project, noted during the ceremonies that ground has already been broken. But the company, as well as BCMC, took the opportunity to celebrate anyway, sticking their shovels into a pile of dirt at the corner of the already-prepared pad...
DRA will make pitch to Spring Hill (11/03/07)
The Duck River Agency's executive director is scheduled to make a pitch to Spring Hill aldermen that, in the face of drought, it's logical to join with other governments in the watershed to protect water quality and supply. Doug Murphy, executive of the Shelbyville-based agency, says he'll advocate regional water supply planning at Spring Hill City Hall on Nov. 13, a date recommended by Mayor Danny Leverette...
State toughens Three-Star requirements (11/02/07)
The state has raised the bar for local governments' participation in a program that's provided more than $100,000 in help to Bedford County and similar amounts in other counties. The Governor's Three-Star Award program recognizes communities for being prepared for economic development. ...
Local unemployment office may close (10/31/07)
Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley visited Bedford County Monday. Bedford County Mayor Eugene Ray requested the meeting after hearing that federal cutbacks could cause the unemployment office here to be consolidated. The mayor stressed his desire to keep the office open, but Neeley said because of the cutbacks it is probable that services for Bedford County residents will be provided in either Lincoln or Coffee County...
Subdivision proposals to be released (10/27/07)
Developers and the public will soon be getting their first look at Shelbyville's proposed subdivision regulations so that the city's planning commission can make final adjustments before sending the document to the city council for approval. The commission plans to hold a public hearing on the new regulations after Christmas. ...
Healthy trees improve square, merchants told (10/25/07)
Downtown merchants and beautification enthusiasts agreed Wednesday that maintaining trees on the Shelbyville public square is the most important factor in keeping the area looking good, in order to promote business. The meeting was held to reach a consensus between businesses and members of the Chamber of Commerce’s Beautification Committee to decide what steps need to be taken to improve the look of the square...
Trees will be meeting topic (10/18/07)
The debate over trees on the Shelbyville public square will continue during a public meeting next Wednesday, with a landscape professional giving his input on the issue. The meeting takes place at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the City Hall Courtroom at the Shelbyville Police Department...
Main Street offers gift certificates (10/16/07)
The newly-organized Shelbyville Main Street program has worked with area businesses to produce holiday gift certificates. The certificates are available in $10, $15, $20 and $25 denominations and are redeemable at a wide variety of local merchants as listed below...
State hopes for Hispanic tourism (10/15/07)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee's tourism department began advertising in Spanish-language newspapers for the first time this year and plans to roll out a Spanish version of its Web site by the end of the month. "The idea is to be all inclusive," said Phyllis Qualls-Brooks, a spokeswoman for the department. "We have multiple cultures -- the census tells us that -- and we know (Hispanic) culture is part of our potential market."...
City wins motions in lawsuit, but issues remain (10/13/07)
Summary judgment in favor of the City of Shelbyville was handed down Wednesday in Fayetteville in a lawsuit between the city and a local paving company. However, two legal issues still remain in the suit that was filed nearly two and a half years ago...
Tempest in a treetop (10/12/07)
Trees on the square were a topic of discussion Thursday during Shelbyville City Council's October meeting, with a merchant and a beautification advocate expressing different viewpoints. A debate began on the topic when a motion was made to apply for a landscape grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry, for the purchase and installation of trees on the public square...
Main Street program organizing (10/12/07)
The newly formed "Main Street Shelbyville" program has begun the application process for accreditation with the Tennessee Main Street Program. The state program is part of the nationwide "Main Street" program created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation...
City studies new financing method (10/03/07)
Shelbyville City Council was informed Tuesday about ways to pay for capital projects with a method called Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Don Darden of the University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) explained the pros and cons of the method, which is used for redevelopment and community improvement projects...
Backroads Heritage celebrates successful year (10/01/07)
MONTEAGLE -- Tennessee's Backroads Heritage Inc., which promotes tourism in Bedford and six other southern Middle Tennessee counties, celebrated another year of achievement with its annual barbecue, held at the Bear Hollow Dinner Theatre. Ken Beck, who covers travel and entertainment for The Tennessean, was the keynote speaker, while the band Midnight Special performed. ...
Local employment rises (10/01/07)
Bedford County's unemployment rate dropped 0.3 percent to 4.6 percent for the month of August, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development reported. The county had a labor force of 22,410, with 21,380 employed and 1,030 out of work. Tennessee's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for August decreased from the July rate of 4.1 percent to 4.0 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percent. The United States rate was 4.6 percent for August, and remained unchanged from July...
Housing market may fall more (09/29/07)
MURFREESBORO -- "I believe the bottom of the housing downturn could be quite a ways off," said the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Dennis Lockhart, during Middle Tennessee State University's annual Economic Outlook Conference on Friday...