CROSSVILLE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES RELEASE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDS BUT WITH STIPULATIONS

The Crossville City Council has approved the release of economic development funds contingent on some stipulations. Last year, the city council, along with Cumberland County Commissioners approved to release $40,000 each to the Chamber of Commerce for economic development contingent upon the chamber being able to raise $120,000 on their own toward the project, which was part of the Horizon Initiative. Thursday, Chamber President Brad Allamong appeared before the city council and stated that the chamber had exceeded its goal of private sector contributions by some $14,000. Allamong said ltogether, $104,000 has been banked with pledges coming in every day. City Mayor James Mayberry made a motion to release the city’s contribution, but there was still some hesitation on the council’s part. When Council member Danny Wyatt asked about the county’s cut of the pie, Allamong said that the check had been cut and is on the county mayor’s desk. Wyatt said that he would not support the motion unless an oversight committee was setup, to which Allamong replied that such a committee was a necessity. Council Member Jesse Kerley was also hesitant and said that he wanted to see the full $120,000 in the bank. An amendment was made and passed to the mayor’s amendment that the funds would be granted at the time the oversight committee would be formed and when the full amount of the chamber’s money would be deposited. The motion passed 4-1 with Wyatt voting against.