Today, State Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) announced efforts to pursue initiatives to help with recovery efforts in Sunbright, Tennessee. On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, an EF-1 tornado hit Sunbright causing damage to numerous residential and commercial buildings. 

“Unfortunately, the destruction does not meet Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards to receive funding,” said Yager. “Given the small population of Sunbright and its limited resources, there is growing concern regarding recovery efforts due to lack of funding, and I am doing everything I can on the state level to give Sunbright more resources to build back their community. I appreciate Representative Butler’s support in sponsoring these efforts in the House of Representatives.”

Just this week, Senator Yager put together a proposal to secure a state appropriation to assist in recovery efforts for Sunbright. If approved, the city and county would each receive $5,000 to assist in costs with the tornado response. 

Additionally, Senator Yager is working on another initiative to provide financial assistance to the city in the form of a sales tax break for cleanup efforts. Details are still being discussed among different government agencies, but Yager is committed to finding solutions before the General Assembly adjourns.  

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(NASHVILLE) – State Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) today announced Roane County is slated to receive a new state park at the historic Fort Southwest Point in Kingston. As a result of years of advocacy from Sen. Yager and local officials, Gov. Lee has included $659,000 in his proposed budget to designate Fort Southwest Point as one of eight new state parks. Lee unveiled his budget proposal on Monday evening in his sixth State of the State address, where he highlighted his plans to increase investments in conserving Tennessee’s outdoor heritage.

Ft. Southwest Point was constructed in 1797 by federal soldiers to control ongoing boundary disputes between settlers and Cherokees. It overlooks the Clinch River where it enters the Tennessee River.

“This is a real game changer for Kingston and Roane County,” said Yager. “After years of work, I am thrilled Gov. Lee has agreed that the historic Fort Southwest Point deserves to be given state park status. This not only means the site will receive recurring state funds but it will also benefit from increased exposure, allowing more people to visit and learn about its historical significance. I am grateful to Kingston Mayor Tim Neal and Roane County Executive Wade Creswell for their work on our shared vision to boost the local economy and show off the historical treasures of Roane County.”

The 2024 proposed budget includes $469,000 in recurring funds for 4 new full-time employees and operational expenses. This means that the funds to operate the park will be guaranteed year after year.  The proposal also includes $190,000 in on-time funds for equipment.

“We are excited about the future of Fort Southwest Point, and I want to thank Sen. Yager for his years of work to make this happen,” said Roane County Executive Wade Creswell. “As a state park, this site will aid in our efforts to increase historic tourism in Roane County and benefit the local economy. I look forward to continuing to work with Sen. Yager, Mayor Neal, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to see this project through to the finish line.”

Today, the City of Kingston owns the site of Fort Southwest Point.

“Fort Southwest Point is an incredible historic site that deserves to be well-preserved for generations to come,” said Kingston Mayor Tim Neal. “Now, we know it will be. Sen. Yager was instrumental in securing funds for Fort Southwest Point in the governor’s proposed budget, and I appreciate his work.”

In the coming months, Lee’s 2024 budget proposal will be vetted by the General Assembly before it is passed sometime in April 2024.

 

(NASHVILLE) Roane State Community College student and Spring City resident Andrew Kingsolver was recently appointed by Governor Bill Lee to serve as the student representative on the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), where he will be a voting member. He was appointed to the position following a competitive application process and will serve a one-year term which began July 1, 2022.

State Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) wrote a letter in support of Kingsolver’s application to Governor Lee and congratulated the impressive student on his appointment.

“It is a high honor to be appointed a voting member of THEC as a student and I congratulate Mr. Kingsolver on this achievement,” said Yager. “As a nontraditional student with a background in welding and pipefitting he will bring a unique and valuable perspective to the Commission. He is a hard-working and dependable individual and I am proud he will represent his school, East Tennessee, and students across the state as a member of THEC.”

Kingsolver serves as a Senator on Roane State’s Student Government Association and has a strong academic record. Before attending Roane State, he worked in pipefitting for a natural gas pipelines.

In order to be selected as the THEC Student Representative an individual must have a 3.0 GPA, be enrolled full-time at a Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) institution, be a resident of Tennessee, and have previous or current leadership experience as an SGA officer, senator or similar equivalent or leadership within the greater community. The Tennessee Board of Regents selects one nominee for THEC Student Representative every year as required by statute (TCA 49-7-204 (c)).

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