NASHVILLE, Tenn. — State Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin, has announced Humphreys County will receive up to $20 million to help rebuild two schools that were destroyed during severe flooding last summer.
The one-time grant funds will be used to rebuild Waverly Elementary and Waverly Junior High schools outside of flood zones. The money was included in a $52.8 billion balanced budget that was approved by the 112th Tennessee General Assembly on April 21.
“The damage these two schools sustained during this historic flooding is unlike anything we have ever seen in our community,” Reedy said. “This funding will help ensure the safety of our students and teachers while also taking the financial burden off residents of Humphreys County. I appreciate my colleagues in the General Assembly for their support of this important project.”
Catastrophic flooding swept through Waverly and Humphreys County in August, killing 20 people and causing widespread property damage throughout the area.
The $20 million in state funding will be used to pay any remaining costs associated with relocating and rebuilding the two schools after federal disaster funds and insurance proceeds have all been used. Any unspent money will be deposited back into the state’s general fund.
The federal government will provide a minimum of 90 percent federal cost share funding for any emergency or major disaster declaration that was declared between Jan. 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2021, according to Federal Emergency Management Agency. The local cost would be 10 percent.
For more information about Tennessee’s budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year beginning July 1, visit here. To read the amendment that includes funding for the Humphreys County school relocation project, visit here.
Jay Reedy represents House District 74 which includes Houston, Humphreys and part of Montgomery counites. He serves as vice chairman of the Government Operations Committee and the Joint Commerce, Labor, Transportation and Agriculture Committee. He is also a member of the Agriculture and Natural Resources committees, Local Government Committee and Property and Planning Subcommittee.
Photo of flood damage in Waverly by Bobby Melton.