In B-Town, They Loved the Governor

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee visited Bolivar’s Luez Theatre on September 15 to ceremonially sign the Rural Brownfield Reinvestment Act as part of his statewide Conservation Tour, highlighting Tennessee’s conservation strategy and celebrating recent investments in state parks, brownfield cleanup and advancement of nuclear energy.

The Rural Brownfield Reinvestment Act assists in the assessment, clean-up, and revitalization of brownfields in Tennessee. The Brownfield site in Bolivar, known as the Tannery, was closed September 16, 1987, by the Amira Corporation - almost 36 years to the day in what was described as a devastating time due to the loss of jobs in Hardeman County.

The visit included the announcement of the LRPF grant, which will be used to complete the next phase of development at Sand Beach Lake, including the construction of a pavilion, restrooms, the amphitheater, and a boat ramp.

In Mayor McTizic's comments, he thanked retired staff members Curtis Stack and Cathy Mayfield for their efforts in the pursuit of phase one of this funding and Southwest Tennessee Development District for their assistance in obtaining this phase of the funding.

The $5.3 million allocated for the Rural Brownfields Investment Act will begin remediation efforts for 175 known brownfield sites, including the creation of a new state-administered grant and technical support program for remediation and economic development of existing brownfields.

Photo Courtesy of Sarah Rice, City of Bolivar