Senator Ken Yager announced today that he has been notified by Secretary of State Tre Hargett that a $9,900 state grant has been awarded to the Kingston Public Library. The state grant will be used to purchase much needed laptops and technical training. “I am very pleased that these funds are available for this purpose,” said Senator Yager. “This grant will provide needed training and will help update our technology to provide citizens with better access to information stored or retrieved electronically. I congratulate our local officials for their work in securing the grant.”

Yager also said an appropriation of $100,000 for the Oliver Springs Depot is included in Governor Bill Haslam’s amended budget proposal submitted to the General Assembly today. The action came after Yager wrote Finance and Administration Commissioner Larry Martin earlier this year asking for an appropriation for the project, laying out the reasons it should be included in the Governor’s amended budget. The total cost of the project is estimated at $200,000. The Oliver Springs Historical Society will raise the balance according to Yager. “The Oliver Springs Depot is a priceless landmark in desperate need of repair,” said Yager. “Volunteers have made a herculean effort to restore it, but we needed the funds in which this appropriation will help provide. The Depot not only has great potential for tourism, it preserves our community’s history for generations to come. I am very pleased that Governor Haslam and Commissioner Martin saw the need for this project and included it in their amendment.” The Oliver Spring Town council and mayor have pushed to get the depot listed as a Tennessee historic landmark but was rejected by the State Historical Society however they know the money hopefully coming will allow them to do excessive repairs to the old landmark.

The Depot was built in the 1890’s and served as a focal point in the life and commerce of the town. It currently houses the town’s library and a museum of local history.