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Bradley County to seek $1 million CDBG for turfing ballfields; finance panel asks mayor to split project
Summary
The Bradley County Commission voted to apply for a $1 million Community Development Block Grant to install artificial turf at county ballfields and approved a finance committee recommendation to split project financing so three fields could be funded immediately while Elrod Park awaits grant dollars next year.
The Bradley County Commission on Feb. 17 approved a resolution authorizing the county mayor to apply for up to $1,000,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to install artificial turf on county ballfields and to provide the required 17% local match.
The resolution (2026-03), approved unanimously, directs the county mayor to pursue funding to “turf existing fields” so the county can host tournaments year-round and reduce weather-related cancellations. The measure also authorizes the mayor to enter agreements required by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and to use the Southeast Tennessee Development District for project administration if the grant is awarded.
Separately, as part of the consent agenda, the commission approved a Finance Committee recommendation (moved by Commissioner Milan M. Blake) asking the mayor to consider breaking the county turf project into two pieces: immediate financing for Blue Springs, Bradley North and Urbane Road fields, and using grant funds next year for Elrod Park. That consent-item motion passed 9–5 on the recorded roll call.
Commissioner Josh Rogers moved adoption of the CDBG resolution on the main agenda; Commissioner Mike Hughes seconded. The commission’s roll-call vote on the resolution was 14–0 in favor.
Why it matters: artificial turf would allow consistent scheduling for baseball, softball, soccer and football tournaments and could support local economic activity tied to sporting events. The county’s Recreation Plan identifies turfing existing fields as a targeted renovation to increase all-weather play and tournament hosting capacity.
What happens next: the county mayor’s office is authorized to submit the CDBG application and, if awarded, execute grant and administration agreements. Funding decisions and any required local budget actions will be reported to the commission as the project advances.
Actions: RESOLUTION 2026-03 (Bradley County Park Upgrades — 2026 CDBG application) was approved; the Finance Committee’s request to split turf financing was approved as part of the consent agenda.
