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Etowah officials planning for more EV stations in town

City of Etowah officials hope to add more chargers for electric vehicles to the parking lot near the L&N Depot in the near future.

According to Etowah City Manager Russ Blair, the city currently has one overnight charger connected near the exit of the free parking area at the L&N Depot.

“It gets frequently used but we only have the one charger, so it becomes difficult for others who may need it if there is already a vehicle there,” Blair said. “I think with the increased amount of traffic we will see more electronic vehicles and the need for more chargers.”

While city officials don’t have a set number in mind, they would like to update the existing charger.

“If we could get a couple to replace the older, slow charging station that we currently have that would be good,” he noted. “I think our current location is ideal for the public charging stations. I’m not opposed to any alternative locations but I think where we currently have a charger set up is the best location.”

Blair noted the city is currently looking into the various programs that could help fund the project.

“We are still at the beginning of exploring this topic so we will be working closely with the utilities and more to figure out sources of funding,” Blair noted. “I think with us welcoming Piedmont to town and the clean energy lithium battery sector, it makes sense that we have utilities available in town that promote the use of these clean energy technologies.”

Blair noted that most of these utilities are available near the interstate, however he believes that Highway 411 is populated enough to warrant the stations.

“Highway 411 is a frequently used U.S. highway and I would love to see these resources developed along that road,” he expressed.

Etowah Utilities Board General Manager Harold Masengil stated that the chargers are very costly.

“Etowah has an older overnight EV charger at the depot track parking lot. We at Etowah Utilities are talking with Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and TVA about fast EV charger grant opportunities for the US 411 corridor,” Masengil noted. “You can understand that the fast chargers are quite expensive at about $300,000 each for the dual charger unit. Piedmont Lithium has expressed an interest in participating with a fast charger and we certainly are open to other organizations that might want to participate in the 20% grant match.”

Though it is not a part of Etowah, Masengil pointed out another charging station that is near Etowah.

“There is a fast charger at the Gee Creek Ranger Station near the Old Fort Block House that is south of Etowah in Polk County that is open for public use,” Masengil said.

McMinn County Commission commits funds to Gem Theater renovation

A historic building is being renovated in Etowah and assistance is coming from across the county to keep the work going.

During the McMinn County Commission’s August meeting, the members unanimously approved $28,000 out of the capital projects fund to go toward renovations at the historic Gem Theater in Etowah. The request was brought by Diana Elrod on behalf of the Main Street Etowah Board.

The board is working in conjunction with the Tennessee Economic and Community Development Department, the City of Etowah and the Etowah Area Chamber of Commerce to revitalize the downtown area and refurbishing the theater is one of those efforts.

“Etowah is excited to have this opportunity, not only for our community but for McMinn County in general,” Elrod told the commissioners. “As part of our efforts, we have already begun restoration of the historic Gem Theater in downtown.”

She noted that the board has been able to get about $64,000 pledged between contributions from the city, grants and Main Street. That money has been going toward the bricks on the outside of the building being restored to the original state from its construction in 1927, refurbishing and painting windows, and getting new lighting for the exterior of the building.

“There are still a few projects that need to be done to see this to the end — one of those is the restoration of the marquee sign,” she said.

That led her to request $25,000 from the commission to do that work.

She also noted the importance the board has placed on this project, as they are also working on getting a grant that they would pass on to local business owners “to help beautify the downtown area.”

“With seeing this project to its end with the historic Gem Theater, we’re hoping to lead by example and get buy-in from local business owners,” she explained.

County Commissioner Charlie Slack noted that he likes the work that’s been done to the theater to this point.

“I appreciate all the work you’ve done, it really looks good,” he said.

When asked, Elrod noted that while she was asking for $25,000, the total cost for the marquee project is expected to be $28,000. That led Commissioner Tim King to suggest upping the county’s contribution to the project cost.

“That’s what that fund is for,” McMinn County Mayor John Gentry noted, in agreement with commissioners on that point. “That’s why we set apart the capital projects, to help those historic buildings.”

Slack made the motion to commit $28,000 to the Gem Theater, King seconded it and the rest of the commission approved it unanimously.

The Arts: