Joint Economic & Community Development Board meets

Lewis County Mayor Jonah Keltner called to order the June 30, 2020 quarterly meeting of the Joint Economic & Community Development Board at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Lewis County Courthouse.

Reports were received from Executive Board members.

City of Hohenwald Mayor Danny McKnight informed the Board the City was in the midst of meter change outs in both the water and gas departments.

Mayor Keltner reported on a meeting with the South Central Workforce Alliance, that Lewis County has only had five positive COVID-19 cases, one of which is 15 days old and that the Buffalo River Blueways Project committee helped identify land to purchase.

He also reported the Lewis County Board of Commissioners approved the mayor to enter into a contract with a landowner to purchase 4.5 acres at the mouth of Grinders Creek and the Buffalo to be developed as public access to the river. Local Government Support Grant funds will be used for the purchase in the amount of $20,000.

Hohenwald/Lewis County Chamber President Blake Farr reported the Chamber canceled all summer events with hopes of hosting a summer block party in September. As Governor Bill Lee extended the stay at home order through August, President Farr noted the chamber would have to revisit the end of summer schedule.

Oktober Heritage Festival was announced as remaining on the schedule, the Chamber is working on its budget and offering support to local businesses, he concluded.

EC&D Coordinator Helen Ozier reported she had attended numerous Zoom meetings and conference calls she labeled "What if" calls. She reported people were expressing frustration or fright at COVID-19 mandates. Ozier reported the South Central Area Fair remained on the schedule for now, but the summer concert and fireworks for the fourth of July had been canceled.

A site development grant is almost finished and she will be contacting the Industrial Development Board for their match, she told Mayor Keltner.

In new business, Bert Moor reported the Oliver Companies were back to work and the Lewis Health Center had brought some laid off workers back to work.

Also in attendance was Johnny Clayton and Yogi Spears.