Federal grant funds expansion of Community Wellness Center

                                                                                                               

September 08, 2009 - CRAWFORD, Tenn.—Rural Development Area Director Joe Woody, Principal Christy Lee and Overton County School s Director Matt Eldridge today announced an investment of $38,210 in the Community Wellness Center on the campus of Wilson Elementary School. The announcement took place at the school during a convocation and award ceremony for winners of a poster and essay contest on the theme, "What a Wellness Area Means to Me."

 

"Creating opportunities for Overton County families to gain the knowledge and ability to make healthier choices benefits everyone, and it especially helps us fight the lasting negative effects of childhood obesity" said Woody. "Thanks to the support of Congressman Bart Gordon, Rural Development has the financial resources to partner with local leaders to improve the quality of life in Crawford and the whole area."

 

The Rural Development community facilities grant will fund walking and jogging trails adjacent to the school and other athletic facilities being built with an additional $105,000 being invested by Overton County Schools. The facilities will be open to Overton County residents. Up until now the nearest similar facilities have required area residents to travel of 30 or more miles.

 

Rural Development’s community facilities program provides rural areas with the financial resources to construct or improve essential services like healthcare and education, and construction of civic infrastructure like first responder facilities. Community facilities programs target rural areas with a population less than 20,000.

 

Others participating in the event included Rep. Bart Gordon's representative Billy Smith, Overton County Mayor Kenneth Copeland, School Board members Leonard Ledbetter and Larry Looper, CTE Director Terry Webb and Rural Development staff Jerry Jolley and Alice Wills.

 

USDA Rural Development invests in business development, community infrastructure, homeownership, affordable rental housing and technology to improve the quality of life in rural communities. Last year Rural Development assisted more than 678,000 Tennessee families and businesses with more than $435 million in financial assistance through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants.

 

For more information on Rural Development programs available in Overton County contact the Rural Development Area Office in Cookeville at 931-528-6539 ext. 2, toll free at 1-800-342-3149 extension 1493, or visit us online at www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.

 

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