by David Morgan, Lawrence County Executive
We don’t live on an island, literally or figuratively.
When it comes to improvements to infrastructure, housing, community and economic development, workforce services, public transportation, and services to seniors, Lawrence County and Lawrenceburg don’t have to do everything on their own.
Many cities and every county in Tennessee belong to one of nine development districts that assist with our common needs.
We are part of the South Central Tennessee Development District (SCTDD), along with 12 other counties – Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry, and Wayne – and 35 municipalities within them.
Development Districts are funded through dues paid by the counties and cities they represent, federal- and state-funded contracts, and an annual appropriation by the General Assembly. It is money well-spent.
SCTDD headquarters are in Mt. Pleasant, the building on the bypass where you may have seen Mule Town Trolleys parked. That system is under SCTDD direction, as is the South Central Area Transportation Service (SCATS) that serves Lawrence and other counties.
The Area Agency on Aging & Disability is also part of SCTDD. It works for seniors and adults with physical disabilities in a variety of ways to help them live their best lives. Its programs work with Senior Centers, nutrition and in-home care providers, and long-term care services. It offers one-on-one counseling about Medicare and other health insurance products. Ombudsmen – volunteers who help families resolve complaints about long-term care facilities – operate under this SCTDD department.
Just this week, I learned about assistance the Development District might be able to provide my parents. Income levels may limit the services they receive, but they could qualify for some housekeeping and cooking assistance. As a taxpayer, I’m happy to know my contributions are going to help people like my parents, who need a little extra help at this stage of their lives.
Many have received help from the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) program that helps adults, youth, and dislocated workers find the training they need to get good jobs. At SCTDD, the program director is former Lawrence County Property Assessor Barbara Kizer.
SCTDD creates jobs in our community by advancing the region as a whole and working with businesses, chambers of commerce, elected officials, and developers. This division locates and applies for grants that address community needs necessary for economic development and quality of life. We owe thanks to SCTDD for many grants that extend water service into our rural areas.
The agency’s Community & Economic Development staff also applies for and manages HOME grants for the district, which provide critical home repairs to low-income homeowners. Lawrence County is a past and current recipient; Lawrenceburg has also received these in the past.
I am one of 24 members of the SCTDD Executive Committee, along with my fellow county mayors (executives), six mayors, and minority members. We meet quarterly to establish policy and hear reports about day-to-day operations. I also was honored to be part of the selection committee for the new SCTDD Director, and have been working with that group for the last six months to fill that position.
