Clinton supports nonprofits with annual funding
The city of Clinton has given funds to a group of nonprofits and other organizations that are dedicated to the benefit of Clinton residents.
City Council passed the resolution last June to make the bequests.
Some of the funds were given to nonprofits while others went to county governmental organizations.
“These funds are appropriated to the named nonprofit civic organizations for the purpose of bringing about civic and social improvements through the increase of recreation opportunities for the city of Clinton residents,” a city announcement on Facebook stated.
The city gave the following organizations funds as outlined in the resolution:
• Junior Achievement, $5,000 for general purposes.
• Anderson County Government, Anderson County Office of Aging and Senior Center, $2,000 for general purposes.
• Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, $2,000 for general purposes.
• Anderson County Government, Channel 95 Public Access Channel, $12,000 for general purposes.
• Anderson County Library Board, $80,400 for Clinton Public Library.
• Anderson County Economic Development Association, $21,000 for general purposes.
• Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, $15,000 for retail development.
• The PEARL Foundation, $45,000 for general purposes.
• Anderson County Fair Association, $1,000 for general purposes.
The resolution also listed recreation-related donations with specific distribution amounts to be determined later totaling $4,000. City Manager Roger Houck told The Courier News in December these funds would go to youth sports leagues in the city, which include baseball, basketball, girls’ softball and football.
All the organizations to which the city gave funds will need to submit annual reports on how they used them, in keeping with state law, the resolution stated.
Houck said the precise amounts depended on factors connected to the organizations.
The library funds, for example, are a maintenance of effort in keeping with state law, he said, with other Anderson County cities that have libraries within the library system also giving to the library board to support their local libraries.
Mayor Scott Burton and Houck said the organizations that received the funds this year have received them “for several years” with Burton saying the ongoing relationship was a reason for their selection this year as well.
Houck said these expenses are part of the annual budget paid for with general funds.
“I think it’s great that we can provide all our civic groups to help their operations because they turn around and give it back into their community,” Houck said.
“I think they’re all equally important,” Burton said of the organizations. “They bring a service to our citizens.”
Burton said organizations can send letters to him, the city of Clinton or Roger Houck to request funds.
Historic
Downtown Clinton
The PEARL Foundation of the Greater Clinton Area received the largest allocation this year, totaling $45,000. The organization commonly does business as Historic Downtown Clinton and promotes businesses along Main Street, Market Street and Hicks Street through events and marketing efforts.
The organization is not affiliated with The Pearl restaurant and does not include that area. PEARL is an acronym for Preservation, Education, Art and Revitalization. It is a state-designated Main Street program, similar to those in other Tennessee cities that support downtown development.
Executive Director Katherine Birkbeck said the city agreed in 2024 to provide $45,000 annually to the organization through 2026.
Of this year’s funding, $10,000 will be used for downtown promotion, including videos, a website listing downtown businesses, brochures at travel centers and magazine advertisements. The remaining $35,000 will cover operational expenses such as full-time staff, insurance and downtown events. The organization also works to preserve historic buildings in the area.
Birkbeck said events hosted by the organization generate sales tax revenue for the city.
“That’s a return on investment for the city,” she said, adding that the city covers about one-third of the organization’s operating costs, with the remainder funded by donors.
County
organizations
Representatives from Channel 95 and the Office of Aging and Senior Center expressed appreciation for the city’s contributions.
Ryan Sutton of Channel 95, also known as Anderson County Television, said the city’s funding supports coverage of Clinton City Council and Clinton City Board of Education meetings, which Houck confirmed was the city’s intent.
“We are very thankful for Clinton city’s continued contributions to ACTV,” Sutton said. “It is a very important part of being able to provide live, archived and streamed coverage of Clinton City Council and Clinton City School Board meetings.”
Sutton said the funds are used for daily operations, including payroll, equipment maintenance and subscription services.
Robyn Poppick, director of the Office of Aging and Senior Center, said the agency serves Anderson County residents ages 60 and older, including seniors living in Clinton.
“The city’s contribution helps us provide a variety of activities to seniors, including health and wellness programs, educational series, arts and crafts and more,” Poppick said. “The city of Clinton is a very active partner for us, and we are extremely thankful for their generosity.”
