Latest news with #RandallHutto
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
County Mayor's speech highlights achievements, goals for future
Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto gave his annual State of the County Address on Wednesday. Interlaced with comedy, the presentation showed some of the accomplishments the county saw not only in the past year, but in years leading up to 2025. Some insights into the future of the county were also given by Mayor Hutto. Between some segments, clips of comedian Nate Bargatze's stand-up routine about Wilson County were included. Held at the Wilson Bank & Trust Operations Center on North Castle Heights Avenue, topics discussed, which Hutto believed are important to the residents of Wilson County, included growth, achievements, quality of life, education and transit projects. Hutto took a few moments to recognize elected officials and educators during the address. '[I'm] proud to say we work with a great group of elected officials,' Hutto said. 'Every time they make a decision, they make it with your family on their mind.' Statistics on Wilson County were highlighted, especially rankings compared to other counties in the state. Hutto said the county is #1 in education, public safety and agriculture, adding that Wilson County has the highest number of Century Farms in Tennessee. For economic development, the county ranks second. 'Wilson County has been known as the place to be,' he added. 'We want to be the best in the state of Tennessee when you compare it to all 95 counties.' Video clips were included in the slideshow from various city officials across the county, and also a message from Governor Bill Lee. 'I want to take a moment to recognize your work to ensure Tennessee remains the best state in the nation,' Lee said. 'Wilson County plays an important role in the Middle Tennessee region, and we're grateful for the many ways that this community drives our economy, spurs job creation, strengthens Tennessee families and so much more.' Within the past 12 years, 12 new schools were constructed and seven buildings were renovated. Hutto said education has been a large contributor to the county's success. The Wilson County School Board said the county has above average graduation rates compared to the rest of Tennessee. The information was shared in a video clip featuring Wilson County Schools Public Information Officer Bart Barker. 'We are growing. In fact, new schools are being built as we speak,' Barker said. 'Because people want to be here, they want to raise their families here and they want to send their children to an incredible public school system.' Regarding public safety, the county has doubled the size of the jail, and Hutto said a new 911 center was installed to make emergency responses more efficient. He said plans are underway to overhaul the LaGuardo WEMA station to bring new equipment for the western half of the county. Funds would come from $6 million left over from the 2020 tornado recovery funds. Wilson County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Scott Moore spoke about school safety in another video clip embedded into the presentation. 'We're one of the first counties in the state of Tennessee to put a certified school resource officer in every school,' Moore said. A recent active shooter training was held at Friendship Christian School by first responder agencies across the county. 'I want to reassure every citizen of Wilson County that we will do everything we can to train our SROs so they are confident in their abilities to handle these situations,' Moore said. 'They will remain proactive rather than reactive.' Road improvement projects were also brought up, including the county's plans to revamp many of the roadways based on a 10-to-20-year projection. Hutto said TDOT is working with the county on these investments. The presentation said economic growth and new jobs coming to the county are a high priority for future plans. New restaurants and businesses are opening up in Lebanon and Mt. Juliet. In-n-Out Burger and Tim Hortons are opening two locations in the county, new sit-down restaurant Aubrey's plans to open in Lebanon. A Sam's Club, Walmart and Target are building in Lebanon. Hutto said the county plans to recruit more corporate, white-collar jobs to the area. According to data presented in the address, 49,000 people leave Wilson County on average every day to commute to work. Nearly 31,000 commute into the county to work. 'The 49,000 is probably something we want to continue to work at to try to find better jobs for our people here,' Hutto said. 'The goal is to continue to recruit good, high-paying jobs.' Information provided by Zip Data Maps claims Wilson County is the 27th fastest growing county in the nation with Lebanon as the 12th fastest growing city in the nation. Other projects like the rail yard turntable project currently underway in Watertown were briefly brought up, and Mayor Hutto ended the address by challenging people to do something for someone everyday without expectation of any payment in return.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
Wilson County mayor discusses growth in annual address
WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — In Wilson County, growth continues to be a headline. About 60% of that growth has been in the city of Lebanon over the last six years. While it's considered a desirable location, Wilson County also ranks No. 1 in the state when it comes to public safety, education, and agriculture, according to data from the mayor's office. 'Of course we want to be the best in the state of Tennessee when you compare us to all 95 counties,' Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto said. During Hutto's annual State of the County Address on Wednesday, March 26, he pointed out Wilson County is the 27th fastest growing county in the nation. Meanwhile, as News 2 reported last year, Lebanon was named the 12th fastest growing city in the country. Lebanon family has no regrets going cold turkey from screen time According to Hutto, the county is No. 1 in the state when it comes to public safety based on several factors. 'We've just doubled the size of the jail here in Wilson County. With that double in size of the jail, we put a 911 location center there,' Hutto said. Last week, law enforcement and first responders across the county trained for an active shooter situation. 'This is a big process, something we've never been through, but it's something that can happen any day,' Capt. Scott Moore with the Wilson County Sheriff's Office told News 2 on Thursday, March 20. Wilson County is one step closer to building new middle school On top of safety in schools, officials had license plate recognition cameras installed across the county, with cameras in both Mt. Juliet and Lebanon catching criminals from surrounding areas. According to recent data, more than 88% of the people arrested in Mt. Juliet this month were not Mt. Juliet residents. In fact, the majority of them were from the Nashville area. Hutto said Wilson County also leads in education as the growing population demands more schools. In the last 12 years, the county built 12 schools. 'I know the most asked question I get all the time is, I'm driving down the road and I see that construction site and everybody says, 'What's over there?'' Hutto said. ⏩ When it comes to new development, from the Costco Wholesale in Mt. Juliet to the In-N-Out Burger coming to Lebanon, just to name a couple, Hutto said the county has seen a 44% increase in jobs, which has brought more people to Wilson County. 'We're the second lowest unemployment rate in the state of Tennessee, and that was as of August of '24,' Hutto said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
County Mayor Hutto to deliver annual State of the County address
Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto will deliver his annual State of the County address on Wednesday, March 26. The Mayor's Office says planned topics will include economic growth, achievements for the previous year and goals for the next decade. Topics that Wilson County residents feel are the most impactful will also be discussed, including housing and cost of living. The Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the address and luncheon at the Wilson Bank & Trust Operations center, located at 105 N. Castle Heights Ave. in Lebanon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Chamber is selling tickets for residents wishing to attend in person for $20, which will cover the cost of the luncheon. Catering will be done by Wildberry Catering. The address will be recorded and broadcast for residents unable to attend. Viewers can watch on Wilson County Television, which can be seen on TDS Telecom Channels 7 and 1007, DTC Channels 198 and 498, Charter/Spectrum Channel 198 and AT&T/U-verse Channel 99. Wilson County's YouTube page will also have a recording of Mayor Hutto's address. 'It is an honor to deliver the State of the County Address. We have so many great things to brag about in Wilson County that we have to present the Address two times each year! We rank as one of the top counties in the state, and we believe that is because of the amazing people who live and work here,' Mayor Hutto said. 'We hope to get these great facts out to as many citizens as possible on March 26th. Our office would especially like to thank the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce and Wilson Bank & Trust for helping make this possible.'
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Here's the latest on Lebanon Road, Central Pike, I-40 widening projects in Wilson County
A portion of Lebanon Road in front of West Elementary School in Wilson County appears to be close to a starting a widening project to address significant traffic problems, especially around school times. However, other Wilson projects, which include a large portion of Interstate 40, a new Central Pike interchange, widening an existing stretch of Central Pike and widening South Mt. Juliet Road have uncertain timelines that may be further affected by Hurricane Helene's impact in East Tennessee. The work on Lebanon Road is from Terrace Hill to Adeles Garden roads, with a center turn lane to the west of the school and upgraded retro-reflective signage, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The construction bid process is scheduled to begin in May. Construction is expected to take at least a year and officials hope to complete the project by August 2026, 'pending any unforeseen issues, especially with complex water and sewer relocations in this area,' TDOT spokesperson Erin Zeigler said. Traffic congestion on Lebanon Road during school arrival and dismissal times at West Elementary often results in drivers creating makeshift lanes using bike paths and unmarked shoulders. Drivers heading east turn left from a makeshift lane on the far right to get their children to class. Mt. Juliet High School on Golden Bear Gateway, which connects to Lebanon Road just west of West Elementary, also generates traffic around school start and dismissal times later in the day. Construction bids were originally scheduled to start in the spring of 2024 but were pushed back to 2025 because of delays in ordering poles for electrical lines, Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto said. Wilson County had four projects listed as part of TDOT's longer term 10-year road project plan released in 2023. The are: Interstate 40 widening from I-840 to U.S. 70, about 4.7 miles, from four lanes to six. The initial estimate to start construction is 2028. A new Central Pike interchange on I-40, with a construction-start estimate of 2030. Widening Central Pike (State Route 265) from the proposed interchange to South Mt. Juliet Road. TDOT's construction started estimated for 2030. Widening South Mt. Juliet Road from near Central Pike to near Providence Way, with a construction start estimated for 2032. Lebanon Road from Park Glen Drive to Curd Road in Mt. Juliet is not on TDOT's 10-year plan, but the city has moved forward with design. Mt. Juliet has created a fund dedicated to the widening of Lebanon Road that Commissioner Art Giles stated at a commission meeting has $3 million, in hopes TDOT would expedite the project. Commissioners also approved a controversial phase that will add just over 90 homes in the Silver Springs neighborhood off Benders Ferry Road that includes a developer contribution of $7,500 per lot toward the Lebanon Road building fund. An updated 10-year road project plan to be presented to the General Assembly in the spring will consider growth and change in Tennessee and could include timing, TDOT officials said. One impact could be Hurricane Helene's more than $500 million in damage to the state's transportation system in Upper East Tennessee, Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesperson Greg Summers said. Congress has appropriated a $478 million reimbursement request needed for urgent repairs after the hurricane. However, federal disaster funding is a reimbursement process that requires the state to front cash and seek federal reimbursement that could affect timing, Summers said. Mt. Juliet has been in conversations to 'stay on target' as much as possible on the Central Pike interchange and widening project and South Mt. Juliet Road, Mayor James Maness said. The city is in the process of approving a $25 million allocation to TDOT with timeline stipulations toward the Central Pike interchange in hopes to expedite the project. That has passed a first reading vote. 'TDOT is committed to working with Tennessee's local jurisdictions, municipalities, and counties to identify priorities and accelerate projects with enough identified local funding and support,' Zeigler said. Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@ and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Wilson County road projects: Lebanon Road, I-40, Central Pike
