From left, David Jackson, mayor of Marion County; Michael Brady, mayor of Grundy County; Hoyt Firestone, Polk County executive; Dwain Land, mayor of city of Dunlap; Senator Janice Bowling; Rep. Ron Travis; Philip Cagle, mayor of city of Pikeville; John Gentry, mayor of McMinn County; and Beth Jones, executive director, Southeast Tennessee Development District
Senator Janice Bowling and Rep. Ron Travis have received "Legislator of the Year" Awards from the Tennessee Development District Association. The awards were made during TDDA’s Legislative Awards Breakfast in Nashville.
The TDDA is an association of Tennessee's nine development districts, which are regional planning and economic development organizations. These policy boards within each district are made up of the state's 95 counties and 340 municipalities. Development districts assist with regional issues including planning and economic development coordination, transportation, solid waste, loans and grants for critical infrastructure such as water and sewer systems, housing, tourism, economic development loans, environmental quality and natural resources planning, workforce development and services to the elderly.
"The awards are given on the basis of nominations from each of the nine development districts to those legislators who have shown leadership and put forth considerable effort on behalf of their cities and counties," said Beth Jones, executive director of Southeast Tennessee Development District. "Both Senator Bowling and Rep. Travis understand the needs of our region and continue to advocate, sponsor and support needed changes in economic development to bring success to the people and businesses of the southeast Tennessee region.”
"We appreciate the support Senator Bowling and Rep. Travis have given our local governments in the legislature," said Larry Waters, TDDA president and Sevier County mayor.