BBBTV12 Serving Anderson, Roane, and Morgan Counties
CLINTON — Anderson County marked a milestone Wednesday morning as local officials, architects and construction representatives gathered for the groundbreaking of a new $4.87 million Emergency Operations Center.
The approximately 12,000-square-foot facility will be built at 288 Frank L. Diggs Drive in the Clinton/I-75 Industrial Park. Completion is expected July 29, 2027.
Anderson County Emergency Management Director Joseph Mead said the project will provide a purpose-built facility after years of operating in space adapted to meet the department’s needs.
“For a long time, we’ve been working in retrofit space. We cobbled together a facility to make things work, so this is a huge milestone for us,” Mead said.
The project follows years of planning, including visits to other East Tennessee emergency operations centers by County Mayor Terry Frank and former emergency management directors Steve Payne and Brice Kidwell.
(Back row) Anderson County Emergency Medical Service Paramedic & Deputy Director of Education Bobbi Jo Henderson
Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, (Back row) Anderson County Emergency Management Agency Program Manager Karen Ooten, Anderson County Commissioner Chad McNabb, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann’s Field Representative Cindy Boshears, Anderson County Emergency Medical Service Assistant Director Scott Thomas, City of Clinton Codes Enforcement Officer Chance Houck
Nearly $3 million in funding was secured through the 2024 Emergency Operations Center Grant Program, involving state and federal agencies. Officials also credited assistance from Congressman Chuck Fleischmann and support from the Anderson County Commission.
“This is a major investment, advancement, and partnership,” Frank said.
Studio Four Design, a Michael Graves Company, designed the facility. Evans-Ailey Construction, Inc. was awarded the construction contract, with notice to proceed issued September 3.
State Rep. Rick Scarbrough and Clinton Mayor Scott Burton emphasized the cooperation that helped move the project forward.
“This has been a long time coming,” Scarbrough said. “The collaboration was critical and that can’t be overstated enough.”
“It’s amazing what we can get done when we work together,” Burton said.
The center will occupy city-owned property previously returned to Clinton by neighboring SL Tennessee. Construction is proceeding under an intergovernmental agreement between Clinton and Anderson County.
Clinton also plans to build a future Fire Station No. 3 on the same property.
