Federal Co-Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission, Gayle Manchin, recently toured two sites in Hancock County funded by ARC grants.
During the course of her visit, Co-Chair Manchin visited the treatment facility for Sneedville Utility District's primary water source. A disused mine located on Zine Mines Road, now supplies water for the daily needs of 925 customers and and economic growth. This innovative approach ensures that Hancock County will have a viable water source to support current demand and future growth. ARC funds were used to develop the water source, build a storage tank and water lines into Sneedville.
Manchin also toured Allied Dispatch’s Hancock County location, which currently employs 75, with plans to expand operations to 140 employees. ARC grant funds and dollars from Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development were utilized to build out a County owned property as a spec building. Allied Dispatch was recruited to located in the new facility. Call centers are an ideal source of employment in rural communities providing residents with shorter commutes, generally higher wages, and on the job training. An additional benefit is the potential to address “brain drain” by providing good jobs that encourage young people to remain in the community. During her tour, Manchin was briefed on Allied Dispatch’s mission and their commitment and investment in Hancock County.
Staff members of the Development District joined ARC staff during their tour in addition to representatives from TNECD, and the field representatives from Senator Marsha Blackburn and Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger.
For more details about the ARC Funded projects toured by Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin, please contact Mark Stevans, mstevans@ftdd.org