Chamber hears of growth and economic development

By Editor | February 3, 2026 |

Members of the Pikeville-Bledsoe County Chamber of Commerce filled The Butter Dish restaurant Monday evening, February 2, for the annual Installation Dinner and Awards Banquet. Assistant Commissioner of Community and Rural Development Brooxie Carlton addressed the membership about the investment the State of Tennessee has made in Pikeville and Bledsoe County.

Over the past four years, 2021-2025, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development has invested $26,100,280 in grants and consulting services in the community, said Carlton. The city and county have received 20 grants during that time, she added.

Among the projects those grants have assisted with are:

•Aviagen, 36 jobs, $35 million capital investment

•Virnig Manufacturing, 74 jobs, $11 million capital investment

•Erlanger Bledsoe hospital improvements, $1 million Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant

•HeadStart building renovations, $1 million ARC grant

•Seven grants totaling $13 million for broadband, to ensure everyone in Bledsoe County has access

•Four Community Development Block Grants totaling $2 million

•Historic Development Grant for $460,894 in improvements to the Bledsoe County Courthouse.

In all, Carlton said all 95 counties in the State of Tennessee have received over $1.9 billion in grants and TNECD consulting services from 2021-2025 with 2,365 grants awarded.

“I know that the Chamber of Commerce is not appreciated as much as it should be, and I know that you all probably do not consider yourself economic developers,” said Carlton, “but whether you’re a small business owner, whether you run a manufacturing facility, work on broadband, any of those programs, I think those mean that you are an economic developer.”

She spoke about what is economically relevant to a rural community like Bledsoe County and the program TNDEC makes available.

“We have our business development and that recruits businesses to your community,” explained Carlton.

TNDEC helps grow the resources the community has with emphasis on manufacturing and industrial businesses, she said.

“What we say is that the community and rural development does everything that’s needed so that you can have jobs in your community,” said Carlton. “We work with the schools, we work with public safety, police officers. We do a lot of downtown development, industrial development, industrial site development.”

Economic development in a rural community is different than that in large cities like Nashville and Chattanooga, she noted.

“I thank it is much more focused on building what you already have,” Carlton said. “Supporting the entrepreneurs that are in your community, supply the small businesses in your community, building up downtowns.”

“What makes you authentic and what makes your community special, supporting your small businesses in your community?” asked Carlton. “It’s not about taking in the next big employer. In the next 100 or 200 or 500 person company, it’s about going on what you have.”

TNDEC wants to partner with Pikeville and Bledsoe County.

“All the investments in your downtown are incredible to build and support, which you’ve already got, what’s already important to your community,” said Carlton. “Downtowns are absolutely my favorite places to go when I visit a community. I love seeing them. It also means supporting your existing businesses, ones that have made it through the hard times, and been here for decades. They have continued to employ people.”

She talked about the visits Deputy Governor and Commissioner of TNDEC Stuart McWhorter made recognizing those businesses who have been a stable tradition in Bledsoe County – The Bledsonian-Banner, First Farmers and Commercial Bank, and Putnam-Reed Funeral Home. Companies that have stood the test of time, hiring generations of people and investing in the community, said Carlton.

Almost every county in the state has experienced growth, said Carlton, from the natural beauty throughout the state to the technological advancements in communities like in Bledsoe County.

She told the Chamber members, “You are the strongest supporters of local businesses. You are the local businesses. You are the ones who serve.”

Carlton stressed the opportunity businesses and industries in Pikeville and Bledsoe County have if they take advantage of the services TNDEC has available to them.

TEACHERS OF THE YEAR HONORED

Dr. Kristy Walker, director of Bledsoe County Schools, introduced the principals who presented their individual school’s Teacher of the Year.

Receiving the honor for Pikeville Elementary was Christina Moll as announced by Assistant Principal Allissa Boyd.

Principal Michael McAnally presented the school’s Teacher of the Year, Vanessa Angel.

Cecil B. Rigsby Elementary Principal Emily Bice recognized Terri McKinty as the Teacher of the Year.

Amanda Roberts was honored by Principal Candi Kempton as Bledsoe County Middle School’s Teacher of the Year.

Assistant Principal Regina Tabor honored Benita Cookston DeBord as the Teacher of the Year for Bledsoe County High School.

Named Teacher of the Year from the Career and Technology Education program at the high school was Terry Hatfield, as announced by Princiopal Steve Reel.

AWARD PRESENTATIONS

Receiving the Fran Roberson Community Spirit Award was David Emiren for his unselfish dedication to spread Christmas cheer through decorating and support of the annual festivities.

Travis Smith received the Volunteer Service Award for all he does for the community individually and through his businesses.

The Small Business Award went to Shelby and Brent Stewart, owners and operators of The Butter Dish.

Named as the Business of the Year was Citizens Tri-County Bank.

Longtime vice chairman of the Chamber, Bobby Collier, was honored for his years of service to the organization. He has stepped down from his position but not before assisting with all the presentations made that night.

Chamber officers were installed by Mayor Philip Cagle. Those installed were Matthew Boynton as chairman, Heather Reed as vice chairman, Daniel Brown as secretary, and Betty Renick as treasurer.

Posted in News