Beech Tree News Network

At Monday night's Fiscal Court meeting, Industrial Development Authority Board members Marty Jones and Denny Drake provided an update on plans for the Riverfront property recently acquired by the county.

In late December, Butler County Fiscal Court approved the purchase of 40 acres in Morgantown, located just behind the Butler County Courthouse and fire department. The site is being considered as a future outdoor tourism destination for downtown.

The $315,000 allocated for the property purchase came from a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) fund established in 2018, after House Bill 114 directed these resources to local counties for economic development. The funds are restricted to specific uses.

“It came through our legislators via TVA for coal counties in lieu of taxes. It started at about $50,000 per year and has increased to $153,000 annually. That is the current allotment each qualifying county receives instead of tax money,” explained Butler County Judge-Executive Tim Flener.

“The Board has received $50,000 and would like to begin Phase I of the project,” Jones stated.

The zoning has been addressed with the City of Morgantown. Chad Tyree, a teacher at Butler County Area Technology, and his engineering class have submitted four sets of plans for consideration.

According to Jones, Phase I would include constructing two parking lots, developing as many walking and biking trails as feasible, and connecting the two lots. The Board intends to put the project out for bids.

The Court discussed several trade-offs and constraints: establishing native grasses will require more up-front maintenance, while long-term maintenance funding remains uncertain and may necessitate city and county coordination.

Magistrate Dillon Bryant expressed concern about ongoing maintenance, noting that the county already mows Leonard Park, Green River Museum, Butler County Courthouse, Woodbury RV Park, and Rochester Park and ballfields.

The Industrial Development Authority Board consists of Marty Jones, Denny Drake, Chris Burden, Kevin Phelps, Tim Flener, and Robert Tuck.