The County Commission held a workshop Tuesday night to review the new flood map ordinance and to hear about a grant the Health Department is applying for that would provide recreation and wellness programs.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has updated the county's flood maps. County Director of Planning Mike Atkins said the maps his office currently uses were created in 1979. The new maps were created digitally.

"It's a really great tool," Atkins said. "They are so much better than the paper maps."
The county must approve the maps before Feb. 3 to maintain its enrollment in the National Flood Insurance program. The program allows anyone in the county, even those not in designated flood zones, to purchase flood insurance.
The county will hold a public hearing on the new flood maps at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24 at the courthouse.

The maps are available for review at the Planning and Solid Waste Office in the Courthouse.
Health and Wellness Grant
Dr. Barbara Levin reported the Health Department, working with the schools and other local agencies, has applied for a federal grant of nearly $5 million that would provide preventive health programs. The grant would include funding for physical education teachers, a wellness center, and other health-related programs.

Levin said if chosen, Monroe County would be one of two sites in the state to receive funding. The county will know in December if it is a finalist with final approval in April.

Harley-Davidson
chooses Murfreesboro
over Monroe County
During the regular session of the County Commission, the board approved the quarterly reports from all the county departments.
County Mayor Allan Watson reported even though the unemployment rate decreased to 16.1 percent it was too high.

In past months, the mayor had talked about prospects looking at the MARCA building in the Tellico West Industrial Park. Tuesday night, Watson reported one of those prospects was Harley-Davidson, however the company decided to move to an interstate location in Murfreesboro because it provided better visibility. It was estimated the plant would have 1,000 jobs.

JTEKT has leased a portion of the MARCA building to expand its business, and another prospect is looking at the remaining space in that building. That company could bring 100 jobs initially and then up to 300 jobs.

Watson also reported two prospects are looking at sites in the Niles Ferry Industrial Park. County attorney Jerome Melson and Economic Development Director Shane Burris are working on incentives to offer companies wanting to build here. They will present the incentive package to the Niles Ferry committee for approval.

In other department news, the mayor reported:
• Collections for the Ambulance Service were up almost $68,000
• The Animal Shelter took in 1,819 animals during the last quarter and were able to adopt out 532.
• Building permits were down from 53 in 2008 to 48 this year.

The next County Commission meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24 at the Courthouse in Madisonville.

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