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Cocke County Partnership updates commissioners on Innovation Park, Forest Service approval for trails
Summary
Cocke County Partnership told commissioners the US Forest Service approved the SF‑299 permit and waived cost‑recovery fees for planned bike trails, environmental reviews and appraisals are complete, and bids for Innovation Park utilities (including a $2 million ARPA sewer contract) are being issued with a June 17 bid opening.
Daryl Brady of the Cocke County Partnership updated commissioners on multiple economic‑development projects, including significant progress on Innovation Park and a Forest Service permit for proposed bike trails.
Brady said the US Forest Service approved the project's SF‑299 permit and waived the cost‑recovery fee, which reduced project costs. "The environmental review for the trails is in to the Forest Service, and we're waiting on their approval," Brady said, adding that a phase‑one environmental review of the trailheads and an appraisal of possible trailhead property have been completed.
He told the board an RFQ for a project manager will be drafted and funded from grant dollars rather than county funds. Brady also said sewer work funded by ARPA—described in the meeting as a $2 million contract—has bids going out and that a pre‑bid conference is scheduled for May 28 with bid opening on June 17. "The bids will be opened at 2:00 p.m. on June 17th," he told commissioners, and said the project manager will oversee a general contractor to coordinate three‑phase power, streetlights, broadband and landscaping.
Brady also mentioned a proposed economic recovery grant for improvements to the Pigeon River submitted in partnership with the Pigeon River Outfitters Association; the grant would not require a county match if awarded, he said.
Commissioners asked timing questions; Brady said work could begin in July with potential breaking ground in late summer if bids and contractor schedules align, though he warned of weather and supply‑chain delays.
The board recorded the Partnership's report and moved on to the next agenda items.
