Mayor Jason Bailey enumerated a multitude of projects that are in progress in Union County when he addressed the UC Business & Professional Association in February at the Maynardville City Hall.

Construction projects included the new middle school, the TCAT/Walter’s State Building, and the Heritage Park stage and Music Wall of Fame. He recalled that a new senior van and a new fire truck have been recently purchased. A Safe Streets for All grant will provide one turn lane and three traffic lights on Highway 33. By June of 2025, every household in Union County will have access to fiber internet.

Blue Mud, the free boat launch near Big Ridge State Park, will have paved parking that is striped as well as a double launch for motor and non-motorized boats, lights and a fishing pier due to an Appalachian Regional Commission Grant. Applications for a Parks and Recreation Grant to construct two multipurpose fields in Wilson Park and a CDB Grant to build a new EMS building in Maynardville are also underway.

Two new community centers, one in Big Ridge and the other in Speedwell, are being developed. The Hubbs property is under review for a new jail. All projects, with the exception of the new middle school, have been or are being developed debt free.

UCBPA Members thanked Mayor Bailey for the inspiring program and his leadership to work with county commission and the school board to efficiently use funds for the many projects.

The UCBPA is currently conducting its membership campaign. Memberships are available at the Entry Level for $50 which is the basic membership and allows for member invitations to all meetings and events. The Gold Level at $100 offers social media promotions, recognition at meetings and media spotlights on the website as well as in print. A membership form is available by emailing ucbpa.tn@gmail.com or by downloading the form at the end of the online article in Historic Union County.

The UCBPA Annual Prayer Breakfast will be at First Baptist Church on Good Friday, April 18, beginning at 8 a.m. Buttercup Bakehouse will cater, and Dale Keasling, chairman of the board for Home Federal Bank, will be the speaker.

The next meeting of UCBPA is Tuesday, March 11, at 12:05 p.m. at Maynardville City Hall.