During opening ceremonies at the Cumberland County Fair, Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton made a $5 million donation to Cumberland County on behalf of the state of Tennessee to be used for upgrades to the arena and restrooms at the Community Complex.
The presentation was made to Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster, the county’s fair board and several county commissioners.
On his Facebook page, Foster said, “Speaker Cameron Sexton is always here for his community and supports us in every way possible. Thank you Cameron for this outstanding investment in Cumberland County, TN and for being a great friend and neighbor! I appreciate all you do for us!”
Sexton posted on his page, “Honored to present $5 million to Cumberland County for the fairgrounds! These funds will add a roof to the arena and upgrade the bathrooms so our best-of-the-best fair has an arena to match its awarding status. Excited to see this project get underway!”
In a message to the Chronicle, Sexton said the funds are coming from the state of Tennessee to Cumberland County with no match required.
“… It is a direct appropriation that was requested by me and I worked with Gov. [Bill] Lee to secure those funds in the budget. The General Assembly passed the budget, thus it was funded.”
Sexton said he did have conversations with Foster, county commissioners and fair board members about upgrading the arena at the fairgrounds.
“Those conversations started late last year. The same process was used for state funding for the courthouse repairs and renovation, and military museum,” Sexton stated.
Earlier this year, a request for qualifications proposal for architectural engineering services submitted by Lose Design Spaces for Life of Knoxville was approved for $25,000. The request came from the county’s building and grounds committee for a proposal on a possible plan of upgrades at the Cumberland County Community Complex. It was approved by the county’s Financial Management Committee in June.