ATLANTA — FEMA announced $8.5 million in funding for three recovery and mitigation projects to help Tennessee communities recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and severe storms.
This funding is part of more than $308 million that FEMA announced for 150 projects nationwide.
FEMA is awarding more than $6.4 million to Tennessee to fund two projects under FEMA’s Public Assistance program, which helps communities cover costs for management and restoring public infrastructure after a disaster. These projects include:
• $527,000 to Ballad Health for grant management costs from the Covid-19 pandemic.
• $5.9 million to Pickwick Electric Cooperative for permanent repairs due to a severe winter storm.
FEMA is also awarding Tennessee $2 million through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to fund projects to promote resilience and reduce future disaster costs. Notable projects include:
• $2 million to Clarksville Gas and Water to purchase and install a generator at the South Clarksville Water Treatment Plant.
These projects are the latest examples of billions of dollars in disaster recovery provided by FEMA to support state and local communities as they work to rebuild from recent natural disasters.

Fall into energy savings! Join Duck River Electric for one of their FREE Home Energy Workshops and learn how to:

• Boost efficiency
• Lower your bills
• Create a more comfortable home
  The workshop includes a light supper, plus each participating household will receive a FREE home energy starter kit.
  The Home Energy Workshop in Columbia is Tuesday, October 6th, at the DREMC Columbia office at 798 New Lewisburg Highway. The Lewisburg workshop is Thursday, October 8th, at Columbia State Community College at 980 South Ellington Parkway. The workshops begin at 6 PM at both locations.
  There’s limited seating at the event, so reserve your seat! Register now at dremc.com/workshop or call 931-680-5880.

Columbia, TN (September 8, 2026) – The Columbia Police Department is announcing a new program that will allow off-duty Columbia Police officers to be hired for approved events, activities, traffic control, security and other services throughout the community.
Beginning September 2026, those seeking an additional law enforcement presence for an event or other approved need will be able to request an off-duty Columbia Police officer through the Off-Duty Management platform.
The new program provides the community with another public safety resource, offering access to trained Columbia Police officers when an additional law enforcement presence may help enhance safety at an event, gathering or other activity.
All costs associated with the service are paid by the party requesting the officer. This includes the officer’s time and any equipment or resources used for the assignment. No taxpayer dollars are used to cover the cost of the requested service.
The Columbia Police Department will partner with Off-Duty Management to coordinate requests and administer the program through OfficerTRAK®. The service provides 24/7 customer assistance and handles scheduling, invoicing and other administrative aspects of each request.
Those interested in hiring an off-duty Columbia Police officer can submit a request through Off-Duty Management via ColumbiaTN.gov or contact Off-Duty Management directly at 1-877-636-8300.

New Program Allows Public to Hire Off-Duty Columbia Police Officers

New Program Allows Public to Hire Off-Duty Columbia Police Officers

ATLANTA — FEMA announced nearly $15 million in funding for eight recovery projects to help Tennessee communities recover from the severe winter storm and Hurricane Helene.
This funding is part of more than $348 million that FEMA announced for almost 170 projects nationwide.
FEMA is awarding these funds through its Public Assistance program to reimburse Tennessee for the costs of debris removal, emergency protective measures and infrastructure repairs. Notable projects include:
• $4.8 million to Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative to repair the electrical distribution system.
• $3.3 million to the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga to repair the electrical distribution system.
• $2.1 million to Hendersonville for debris removal efforts.
• $1.9 million to Fairview for debris removal efforts.
• $1 million to Nashville-Davidson County for emergency protective measures.
• $861,000 to Savannah for debris removal efforts.
These projects are the latest examples of billions of dollars in disaster recovery provided by FEMA to support state and local communities as they work to rebuild from recent natural disasters.