Cawaco RC&D and the Blount County Legislative Delegation gathered at the Community Arts Council of Blount County to celebrate the awarding of $126,528 in grant funding to 12 organizations across Blount County. The grant day event highlighted the diverse community projects that will strengthen public safety, support youth development, and enhance local services.
The celebration brought together local elected officials and organization leaders to recognize the collaborative efforts that make these vital projects possible. Each funded project represents a targeted investment in addressing specific community needs identified by local people and implemented by local organizations.
2025 Projects
Impact Grants
Accessible Entrance to Community Arts Facility
The Community Arts Council of Blount County built an accessible entrance to their facility so all residents, regardless of ability, can patronize and participate in events and performances held at Blount County’s only dedicated community arts facility, impacting roughly 200 people and engaging with 50 volunteers. Expanded access to the facility allows exhibitors and participants to safely load and unload materials and supplies necessary for performances and events, supporting the ongoing efforts of the Council.
ADA Compliant Playground Equipment
The Town of Highland Lake purchased playground equipment for young children, serving residents, families residing in neighboring communities, and visitors enjoying the various recreational activities the town has to offer.
Ballistic Vests for Law Enforcement
The Town of Cleveland purchased tactical body armor for local law enforcement officers who either did not have ballistic protection or were using equipment past its acceptable life expectancy. The equipment outfitted four officers with critical, life-saving equipment as they protect and serve the community.
CR 30 River Park
The Friends of the Locust Fork River created a public access point at CR 30 River Park, newly renamed Bruce Phillips River Park. Public access to the Locust Fork River prevents further erosion of the riverbank, enhances Blount County’s growing tourism economy, and provides residents with a nearby location for the enjoyment of outdoor recreation and the scenic beauty of Blount County.
Education Grants
Appalachian School Weight Room
Appalachian School equipped its new weight room with weight racks to provide student athletes opportunities to train and condition in a safe environment that promotes healthy living.
Blount County Jr Fire Academy Training Equipment
The Blount County Fire & EMS Association bought equipment to support the Jr. Fire Academy, a week-long physical, fun-filled educational and training program for high school students interested in a career in fire and emergency medical services. Among the equipment they purchased was a Challenger Forcible Door Prop to teach students how to open locked doors using hand tools in emergency and fire situations.
Expanding Community Outreach with the Goal of Preserving and Teaching History
The Blount County Historical Society and Memorial Museum is preserving memories of Blount Countians through a digital storytelling project. They purchased computer equipment so they could capture the goals and aspirations of local students as well as the memories of older generations on audio and video. The project expanded the museum and historical society’s goal of enlightening and educating multigenerational groups by preserving the past and teaching the value of history.
Firefighter Safety and Health Training
Remlap Fire & EMS District outfitted their crew with wildland gear, a forestry hose, and nozzles. The gear is lighter and keeps the crew cooler while fighting forest fires. The new gear will help keep the 13 firefighters at the department safe so they can come home to their families at the end of every call.
Mural inside the Courtroom
Artist Joan Babcock worked with local students to design the mural 
Visitors to the Blount County Courthouse can view the mural, which depicts several part of the county’s historyh 
Representatives of the Blount County Commission and Courthouse with the Blount County Legislative Delegation 
The Honorable Gregory Reid, , Presiding Circuit Judge 
Blount County Commission Bradley Harvey, Chairman, and Chase Moore, District 3
The Blount County Commission engaged with local artist Joan Babcock and Oneonta City school students to paint a mural inside the county courthouse that represents the history and life throughout Blount County. The Blount County Museum helped the students and artists explore ideas of what makes Blount County special.
Outdoor Classroom
Fifth-grade students and teachers at Hayden Middle School took an active role in planning and implementing an outdoor classroom, working collaboratively to build raised garden beds, plant fall vegetables, and care for chickens. This project provided picnic tables for students to work on, raised garden beds with planting materials, and educational supplies. The project benefited 130 students.
Project: AED
The Summit Volunteer Fire & Rescue Squad equipped all its emergency vehicles with new automated external defibrillators (AEDs). This project replaced decade-old devices and provided AEDs to vehicles that previously lacked this life-saving equipment. The upgrade benefits approximately 5,000 residents in the squad’s service area. Responders were also trained in proper use of the AEDs.
Sizzling Summer Camps!! 2025
The Blount County Education Foundation delivered a robust lineup of summer opportunities for students through their “Sizzling Summer Camps.” Focusing on transforming the typical summer slide into a summer leap, the camps successfully provided equitable access to engaging academic and enrichment opportunities. Through a multifaceted approach combining extended literacy/numeracy intervention and life-enriching activities, 1,800 students experienced meaningful progress in core academic areas while developing key soft skills and personal interests.
Building Partnerships for Lasting Change
The success of these community projects reflects the power of collaboration between local organizations, government partners, and dedicated volunteers. The projects demonstrate how strategic investments in community infrastructure create lasting positive change across the county.
The impact of these projects would not be possible without the continued partnership and support of the Blount County Legislative Delegation. Special thanks to Sen. Wes Kitchens, Sen. Shay Shelnutt and Rep. David Standridge for their commitment to supporting locally driven solutions to strengthen Blount County.
“I love supporting projects in Blount County,” said Sen. Shay Shelnutt. “Y’all make the dollar go a lot further… It’s always easy to support these [projects].”
“I would like to also say that I appreciate Cawaco and RC&D. This is one of those things and, you know, there’s a lot of hard things in my job. This is one that’s easy for me to support. This is one that I can really see dividends as displayed today,” said Rep. David Standridge.
“Congratulations to each of y’all that took the time, wrote the grants, administered the grants, and made a successful project because every project that I heard today is a great project that wouldn’t happen without some funding… You make a difference and make it easy for me to support,” said Standridge.
Cawaco RC&D is proud to support educational and community development projects like these throughout Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, and Walker Counties. These grants represent our ongoing commitment to fostering vibrant communities that achieve balance between economic, human and natural resource needs.
