In a recent Facebook post, Smith County Mayor Jeff Mason announced that funding has been secured to restore the Historic Smith County Courthouse.
Governor Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter revealed that the state will allocate $101.6 million in funding as part of the second round of broadband and digital opportunity grants.
Smith County will receive $1.8 million of this funding for the renovation and restoration of the Historic Courthouse, with a local match of $200,000. The Smith County Commission has agreed to contribute up to $1 million in local funds if necessary to complete the project.
The Mayor expressed gratitude to the County Commission for their support in pursuing this grant, as well as to Marcie Ackerman and the Upper Cumberland Development District for their assistance in writing it. Additional thanks were extended to Representative Michael Hale and Senator Paul Bailey for their letters of support, and to DTC CEO Chris Townson and his team for their ongoing help.
The grant will cover the replacement of windows with energy-efficient models and the HVAC units. The first floor will be remodeled for office space and a free Wi-Fi room for citizens, including a designated area for health screenings and telehealth visits. The second floor will be revamped for County Commission meetings and local business training sessions. Free Wi-Fi will be accessible on and around the courthouse grounds.
The Mayor is excited to begin this project, with a deadline set for October 2026!
