The East Tennessee Development District (ETDD) held its Annual District Celebration Banquet on Tuesday evening, Sept. 26, 2023, at the Hilton Knoxville Airport in Alcoa.
The celebration was attended by over 150 people including local and state elected officials, federal legislative representatives, federal, state, and private partners, and ETDD team members, including ETDD Vice Chairman and Morgan County Executive Brian Langley.
Each year at the District Celebration, the East Tennessee Development District recognizes local governments and other agencies for the completion of projects that have special local or regional significance. During the award ceremony, ETDD recognized The City of Rockwood for installing wastewater lines down to the new marina using their Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant.
This project exemplifies the importance of investments through Public/Private Partnerships within our communities because the Marina could not have been built without the collaboration of the City, its partners, and ARC. The Marina had their Grand Opening last week.
The award was accepted by Roane County Executive Wade Creswell, Roane County Commissioner Ron Berry, and City of Rockwood Building Inspector Harold Ishman.
During the award ceremony, ETDD recognized Oliver Springs for their Main Street Replica. This project is a small-scale model of their historic Main Street and is housed inside the Historical Society’s headquarters. The Oliver Springs Historical Society, in partnership with the Roane County Sherriff’s Department, spearheaded this initiative.
The Historical Society replicated Oliver Springs’ old theatre into a space for their office, meetings, and other events. It is currently being used by the high school for their cultural activities and plays. The award was accepted by members of the Oliver Springs Historical Society Cecil Crowe, Robbie Underwood, and Jerry White, along with Sgt. Robert Sparks of the Roane County Sheriff’s Department.
