Franklin County Community Development Commission approves $10,000 grant to Bear Creek Collaborative for team building structures

The Franklin County Community Development Commission met September 26 2025, and awarded grants to multiple schools and agencies.

The commission, which includes Brad Bolton, Jeremy Campbell and Red Bay Mayor Charlene Fancher, meets quarterly to review grant applications. The commission is comprised of two appointees from Franklin County's legislative delegation and a rotating seat between the mayors of Russellville and Red Bay. Sen. Larry Stutts reappointed Bolton and Rep. Jamie Kiel reappointed Campbell to another four-year term.

With the most recent grants, more than $3.16 million has been returned to Franklin County since the inception of the funding. The funds come from in lieu of tax payments from the Tennessee Valley Authority. 

Grant awards for the September 26th meeting included:

—$5,000 to the City of Russellville Police Department for purchase of 13 desktop computers.

—$5,000 to the City of Red Bay Police Department for purchase of an aerial manned drone.

—$5,000 to the Red Bay Museum for lighting project for Railroad Park.

—$5,000 to the City of Red Bay Education Fund for purchase of a digital message board.

—$1,000 to Place of Grace for operating expenses.

—$800 to Phil Campbell Elementary School for 3rd grade classroom purchase of TV.

—$7,000 to Liberty Learning Foundation Super Citizen Program for sponsorship for all of Franklin County.

—$250 to Tharptown High School for purchase of mascot costume.

—$800 to Red Bay High School for ACT Boot Camp Program and Math/ELA Tutoring Program.

—$1,200 to Franklin County MLK Memorial Scholarship Committee for funding of one scholarship.

—$800 to Belgreen High School for purchase of Chromebooks for classrooms.

—$800 to Belgreen High School football program for purchase of equipment.

—$1,000 to Franklin County Board of Education for purchase of a lawnmower.

—$500 to Belgreen High School Kindergarten Classroom for purchase of supplies & learning tools.

—$800 to Phil Campbell Elementary for Reading Classroom purchase of iPads.

—$500 to Belgreen High School Special Education Classroom for purchase of classroom and learning supplies.

—$250 to Vina High School for Art Program classroom supplies.

—$800 to Phil Campbell High School for purchase of Chromebooks for math classroom.

—$250 to Phil Campbell High School for production expenses of Theatre Program.

—$500 to Vina High School Cheerleading for purchase of competition mats.

—$200 to Vina High School Cheerleading for All American Cheer Camp expenses.

—$200 to Vina High School Cross Country for team expenses.

—$1,000 to Vina High School for installation of safety film for windows.

—$800 to Vina Elementary School for purchase of five touchscreen Chromebooks for Special Education students.

—$800 to Vina High School for purchase of supplies for fundraising event.

—$1,375 to Red Bay News for Newspapers in Education via Red Bay News.

—$500 to Vina High School Football for expenses for rebuilding lockers.

—$500 to Vina High School Softball for locker room expenses.

—$500 to Vina High School Basketball for expenses for locker room upgrades.

—$1,000 to Tharptown Elementary School for purchase of desks for 5th grade classroom.

—$500 to Vina High School for weight room project for all sports.

—$1,000 to East Franklin Volunteer Fire Department for purchase of fire and safety tools.

—$800 to Russellville Elementary School for purchase of technology and curriculum supplies.

—$10,000 to Bear Creek Collaborative for design and build of sustainable team building structures.

—$5,000 to Spruce Pine Historical Society for replacement of wooden floors in the Spruce Pine Museum.

—$6,000 transfer to the Future Economic Development Fund.

The next meeting of the FCCDC will be Friday, November 21, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., at the Red Bay City Hall. Grant requests for the November 21st  must be received by a commission member before 12 p.m., Friday, November 14, 2025.