Page 10 - Sept-Oct 2024 Vol 42 No 3

TML Achievement Awards Ripley: Innovation in Energy & diverse amenities.
Recent initiatives include opening the
From page 8 Disaster Resiliency Piney River Boat Ramp, improvements to
planner, building official, and office The preparation for, and recovery from the Spring City Veteran’s Park along Watts
manager. This department will provide extreme weather events is becoming a Bar Lake, the creation of the Spring City
continuity for city planning as well as serve priority for communities of all sizes. The Tourism and Events Commission, and
as a one-stop-shop for private developers. city of Ripley is setting the example of how the designation as a Tennessee RiverTown
small cities can find innovative solutions Community.
MAYNARDVILLE: Small City for energy and disaster resiliency needs.
The city secured a state-of-the-art
Progress microgrid, partnering with TVA, Ripley EAGLEVILLE: Innovation in
By promoting public art, outdoor Power and Light, and the National Emergency Services
recreation, and community events, the Institute for Hometown Security. The Located in a rural area and with a
leaders of Maynardville have created solar microgrid not only will lower energy small population, the city of Eagleville
significant momentum for their small costs for city facilities, but also will serve responded to a need for around-the-
community. In 2022, the city began to as a source for backup power during clock response to medical emergencies.
draw residents from throughout Union emergencies. Operating with only a full-time chief and
County by opening a splash pad near city two firefighters, the city began developing
hall. Building on this success, city leaders SPRING CITY: Excellence in an innovative staffing model that ensures
added bathrooms, a shade structure, and constant coverage with at least one
installed a colorful mural at the site. Tourism Development certified firefighter and medical first
The city applied for and received a Scenically located along Watts Bar responder on duty 24/7.
CDBG grant that was used to construct Lake, officials with the town of Spring The restructured fire department has
pickle ball and multi-use courts, an art City are using the area’s natural beauty significantly improved the town’s public
wall, walking trail, and landscaping and and availability of water recreation safety services and quality of life for
drainage improvements to the area. A opportunities to turn their community residents. Presently, the department also
future phase of the project already is into an outdoors destination. Community is working to construct a new fire station
in the works, and will include a statue leaders set goals of becoming an all- and other initiatives designed to improve
garden, playground, food truck area, and a season recreation destination by creating residents’ lives.
stage for entertainment and events. a multi-generational community with

10 TPW September/October 2024