John Coffelt, Editor

The Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen agreed during the Nov. 5 meeting to share the costs of a matching grant with the Coffee County Industrial Board that if approved will provide up to $5 million toward infrastructure improvements at the industrial parks.

The city’s match could amount up to $188,158, and the Industrial Board will contribute $75,000 to match funds from a Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Site Development Grant for the Manchester Industrial Park. 

The initial application listed the addition of a water tower, utility line improvements and sewer repairs that would include a new pump station.

Industrial Board Executive Director Anne Hosea-Majors said during the meeting that that the state informed her office that the freshwater portion of the grant would likely not be funded due to the number of other agencies applying for the grant.

“They have $12 million to give out and $45 million in requests,” she said. “So they asked us to cut the water part and focus more on the sewer.”

Alderman James Threet questioned how the grant would affect a proposed CarMax facility located at the Manchester Industrial Park.

“Have you run them off?” Threet said, referring to the delay in the site being able to get approval for a sewer connection.

Hosea-Majors confirmed the project was still in the works and was very appreciative of the developer’s patience. She said the grant application was not connected to the proposed CarMax facility.

 The motion passed 4-0 with Threet abstaining.

“I’m going to abstain from this vote; I don’t want to be a part of some backroom deal,” Threet said.

The Industrial Board will present the grant to TDEC on Dec. 10.     

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.