Governor Bredesen Announces Shelbyville Grant

Nashville, Tennessee - Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that the state will provide the City of Shelbyville with an enhancement grant in the amount of $108,025 to assist with the continued development of the Shelbyville Walkway Project.

“This project connects community facilities, recreational sites, schools, businesses and homes in Shelbyville,” said Bredesen. “It will also include a path to the Adult Literacy Center. I’m pleased the state is able to assist in this project that will help make visiting and doing business in this city safer and more convenient.”

Governor Bredesen made the announcement today in Shelbyville along with Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely.

Commissioner Nicely explained that the grant is made available through a federal program operated through TDOT. “In the 1990’s Congress set up a grant system of funding for activities designed to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic and environmental aspects of the nation’s transportation system,” said Nicely. “These grant funded activities include historic transportation facilities, bike and pedestrian trails, landscaping and many other non-traditional transportation projects.”

During the grant award ceremony, Bredesen and Nicely commended State Senator Larry Trail and Representative Curt Cobb for their work in helping secure the grant for the city of Shelbyville.

“This grant will fund Phase V of this trail which will include the construction of 2,000 feet of sidewalks. This trail will link the Shelbyville Arts Center, the future library, the Old City Cemetery, the Eastside Public Housing area, Eastside Elementary school, First Baptist Church and the public square, among other things,” said Trail. “It will provide the vital connection this city needs.”

“People can use this trail for walking or bicycling,” said Cobb. “It will make foot-travel safer for the large population of residents who don’t have access to motorized transportation. We think this is an exciting and important addition to this city and we’d like to thank the Governor and the Commissioner for helping make it happen.”