February 2015 Newsletter

Posted On February 21, 2015
Progress Through Informed Choices
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ETQG CALENDAR

2/4: Cherokee Lake Users Association Meeting, Morristown Area Chamber, 6:30P

2/6: Humana Guidance Center Advisory Meeting,
Humana Community Building 8A-9:30A

2/11: ETQG Executive Committee Meeting11:00A

2/19: Norris ProjectOak Ridge Rotary-12N

2/19: Knoxville Career Day Expo, 4P-7P

2/19-20: Coming Together to
Advance Health Equity, Tampa, FL

2/22: Policy Challenge Finals,Howard Baker Center Toyota Auditorium

2/23:  Public Hearing at Indian Mountain State Park, 5:30 P Public hearing at Indian Mountain State Park to gather input on the business and management plan for the park

2/24: UT Watershed Symposium
8A to 6P

3/6: Regional Livability Release, Knoxville Chamber of Commerce 10A-11A

3/6: ETQG Board Meeting, Knoxville Chamber of Commerce 11A-1:30P

3/7: Neighborhoods Conference,
Knoxville Convention Center
Accomplishments and Accolades

Congratulations to:

City of Knoxville Recognized–
Department Of Energy Chief of Staff
Kevin Knobloch recognized Mayor Madeline Rogero
and the City of Knoxville as one of just 16 Climate Action Champion communities for the City’s commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by the year 2020.

Roane County Solid Waste Department for successful implementation of a TDEC Hub and Spoke Grant. Roane County received one of the state’s competitive recycling grants last year and will use this grant to operate a regional hub for plastics recycling. Area cities will partner with the County to increase recycling efforts.
February 4th, 2015
Dear Colleague
 

Over the last thirty days, ETQG has participated in regional discussions with partners on education, neighborhoods, transportation, and health connections. As the Tennessee Legislative Session begins, these topics will headline not only the state, but federal and local level discussions. With similar “on the ground” discussions taking place in our communities, ETQG will follow the proposed policies with potential impact in our East Tennessee region, and look for constructive ways for our communities to benefit from the opportunities that emerge. Stay tuned.

Julie

Resources and Opportunities

TRANSPORTATION /INFRASTRUCTURE

Transportation and Equity

Local equity discussions have centered on public transportation availability in the greater Knoxville and Morristown communities, specifically those communities that are poorer and generally more diverse. In a recent publication, “Direct Link Between Access to Transit and Employment” researchers find a direct correlation between inadequate transportation options and employment opportunities for residents reliant on public transit.

Cell Towers
On October 21, 2014, the Commission released a Report and Order, FCC 14-153. This Erratum, released January 5, 2015, amends the Report and Order Wireless Section 6409(a) Siting Order–Link here.

Transit: Cashing in on the Power of Clusters, Making a Difference in Economic and Racial Inequality
“Public transit is worth way more to a city than you might think,” trumpeted a headline in The Atlantic magazine’s influential City Lab news service. That’s because it fosters “agglomeration,” which writer Eric Jaffe explains this way: “as more people collect in a city center, more jobs cluster there too, boosting both wages and economic productivity.”The key to agglomeration is transit, according to research paper in the journal Urban Studies that finds “a ten percent increase of transit seats or rail service miles per capita” translates into $1.5 million to $1.8 billion in wage increases, depending on the size of the city.

More interesting transit statistics here.

GREAT COMMUNITIES

The City of Alcoa and TPO have been awarded a 2015 Technical Assistance Planning Workshop in recognition of their planning efforts which have led to a more walkable and attractive community.  Alcoa was one of only 14 recipients across the country to receive this honor.

Great Smoky Mountains Greenways Council held their January meeting in Pigeon Forge and offered attendees a tour of the Ripken Complex development.  Local officials were also present to discuss the development of connected greenways in Pigeon Forge and provided an opportunity for participants to ask questions about the challenges and solutions to those challenges. Link to the Pigeon Forge Master Plan.

In January, there was a great turnout for a ULI chapter gathering at the White Lily lofts tour.  David Dewhirst provided a description of future plans for this area including Depot St.  One of the questions from the audience was whether the City was considering parks or connected greenways for the area highlighting the relationship that must exist between government and private investment.

Seven Islands State Park was recognized by Blue Ridge Country magazine as a premier location for birding enthusiasts. Link Here.

EDUCATION
Congratulations to the students in Anderson, Morgan, Roane, Grainger, Hamblen, and Hawkins who will benefit from the LEAP grants awarded to Roane State-ETDD; and to Walters State-Smoky Mountain WIA Board; and  also to Claiborne County recently receiving two innovation grants.Oak Ridge school system is one of the systems benefiting from LEAP grant funding. “Mechatronics” is one of the emerging technologies that will require skilled job training and to promote this technology, Oak Ridge is encouraging dual enrollment and dual credit to help students transition from the classroom to a job. Read more at this link.Dual enrollment/dual credit is also promoted at the Strawberry Plains campus of Pellissippi State through the Career Magnet CTE program.

ENVIRONMENT
ETQG Executive Director joined the leaders of theCherokee Lake Users Association (CLUA) at a recent public meeting in Morristown to discuss opportunities and share information about the stewardship of Cherokee Lake. Similar to the Norris Project, CLUA is comprised of volunteers with an interest in preserving the water quality and beauty of the lake. CLUA is seeking more volunteers to assist with ongoing projects. Cherokee Lake is an asset that benefits the counties of Grainger, Jefferson, Hamblen, and Hawkins.  Prospective volunteers are encouraged to attend the next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 4 at the Morristown Area Chamber.


Participate in TDEC’s Unwanted Pharmaceuticals Collection Program
Tennessee currently ranks in the top 5 states nationwide in prescription medication abuse.  You can help make an impact in your community by volunteering to participate in TDEC’s Unwanted Pharmaceutical Collection Program.  TDEC will provide and deliver at no charge a collection bin to be placed at city or county law enforcement agencies. Each bin weighs approximately 220 pounds and has the ability to be bolted to the ground. Dimensions of the bin are 25.8″ wide, 56.5″ high, and 24″ deep. For more information about the program please visit the TDEC website or call Kathy Glapa at (615) 253-8780.

2015 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards
The Tennessee Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards are the most prestigious environmental and conservation awards in the state.  For more than 25 years, the awards have been presented to individuals and organizations making significant contributions to the protection and improvement of our natural resources and wildlife. The awards are designed to bring about a greater knowledge and awareness of effective practices and projects and to give proper recognition to those persons and organizations that make outstanding contributions to the natural resources of their community. Nominations are being accepted until March 31, 2015. More information is available at  the TDEC website.

GRANTS
USDA announces grant writing workshops for Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program.  The workshops are being coordinated in a joint effort between the Agricultural Marketing Service and the National Institute for Food and Agriculture.  For more information:http://www.amsta.net.

New Innovation Challenge Program for Coal-reliant Counties and Regions For more information link here.

Adventure Tourism District Applications are due to TNECD by April 15.  Any questions regarding TNECD’s role in the Adventure Tourism and Rural Development Act or the application process, should be directed toward
Ramay Winchester at 615-975-4237 or atramay.w.winchester@tn.gov.

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