🤑 Jackson's $36 Million Dollar Loan 🤑

Happy Sunday Jackson!

We are officially in the Christmas & New Year homestretch!

In Today’s “HubCity Newsletter”:

• The Pros 📈 

• The Cons 📉

• The Truth Lies In The Middle ⚖️
  Weekly Events For The Kids 🛝

• Weekly Events For The Whole Family 🎡 

Read Time: 3 - 5 Minutes

Diving Right In!

Mayor Scott Conger recently outlined a $36 million investment proposal that aims to improve roads, parks, and city facilities, enhance public safety, and address critical issues like Jackson’s housing crisis. While this ambitious plan has the potential to transform Jackson, it also brings up important questions about the city's financial future. Let’s break it down.

📈 The Pros 📈

• $18.5 Million For Roads & Sidewalks

Jackson’s roads and sidewalks are in desperate need of improvement, and this proposal allocates a significant $18.5 million to address those issues. Crumbling infrastructure not only makes daily commutes frustrating but also deters businesses and potential residents from investing in the city.

If you think the roads are bad now, just wait until after it snows this winter! 😅 By maintaining the current roads, preparing & adding new sidewalks, and even building new roads, Jackson can improve mobility, traffic flow and enhance the overall quality of Jackson.

• $9.9 Million For Parks & Recreational Space

Beyond infrastructure, the plan also focuses on parks and recreational spaces with $9.9 million set aside. These upgrades would create spaces where families can spend time together, promote physical activity, and increase mental well being for residents.

Parks are often an overlooked part of a growing city! The best way to look at Parks is by thinking of it as a third space. Most people go from work to home and that’s it. Parks give people a third space that is fun, active, interactive, communal and most importantly…FREE!

• $4.9 Million For First Responders

First Responders are like insurance, you hope you’ll never have to call first them, but when disaster strikes, they’re the first number you dial! The $4.9 million earmarked for first responders’ equipment and facilities is another major positive. 

Ensuring that police, fire, and emergency medical services have modern resources not only improves public safety but also supports those who protect Jackson daily.

• $1.1 Million For The New Animal Care Center

The number of pets being abandoned since the pandemic has exploded across the country. During the pandemic many people were forced into isolation and during this time millions of people adopted pets on a whim.

We are dealing with the fallout of this now as the number of stray cats and dogs continue to climb, overwhelming local shelters. $1.1 million to complete the new Animal Care Center ensures that the city can better address stray animal issues while providing humane care for pets in need.

• $1.7 Million For Housing The Homeless

As you drive around Jackson, many people have noticed that the number of homeless people continues to increase. This is not just a Jackson issue but a nationwide issue and $1.7 million will be put towards addressing this issue in Jackson.

• Finally $150,000 For Critical City Building Upgrades

Coupled with over $150,000 for critical city building upgrades, the proposal reflects a well-rounded approach to tackling the city’s most urgent needs.

While the specific projects haven't been outlined in the proposal, we would guess that these funds might be put towards thinks like: upgrading HVAC systems, addressing structural repairs, upgrading safety systems or interior and exterior refurbishments.

Again, those are our guesses.

Mayor Conger has assured residents that Jackson’s finances are stable, suggesting the city can manage this investment without jeopardizing its fiscal health. If managed responsibly, the plan could be another pillar for long-term growth, making Jackson a more attractive place to live, work and play!

📉 The Cons 📉

While the proposed improvements are much-needed, they come at a significant cost. Borrowing $36 million, even if framed as an investment, adds to the city’s debt burden.

Debt, by its nature, is a financial obligation that future residents and city leaders will have to manage. This raises concerns about how this will affect Jackson’s financial stability in the long run, especially if economic conditions change.

It’s worth noting that the amount proposed for borrowing has significantly increased over time. Earlier discussions in June suggested a $12-$15 million bond issue, but the number has since grown to as much as $36 million.

While Mayor Conger explains that the increase consolidates multiple projects into one comprehensive package, some residents and council members are questioning whether all of these expenses are truly necessary at this time.

Furthermore, while infrastructure improvements and recreation upgrades have an obvious return on investment, other projects, such as turfing infields and equipping city buildings, might not yield immediate economic benefits. Some residents may view these as non-essential expenditures, especially when put against more pressing needs like homelessness and road repairs.

Another concern is timing. With interest rates still being high, increased costs of materials, and a shaky economic landscape borrowing now may be more expensive than in previous years. While the mayor’s plan to tackle these issues in one bulk step is logical, some residents may feel uneasy and consider taking on so much debt at once as an unnecessary gamble.

⚖️ The Truth Lies In The Middle ⚖️

As with any major proposal, the truth likely lies somewhere between the enthusiastic support and healthy skepticism. On one hand, it’s clear that Jackson needs significant investment to address its aging infrastructure, enhance public safety, and provide quality-of-life improvements for its residents.

The proposed projects,from completing the Animal Care Center to building roads and improving parks, align with many of the community’s visions & stated priorities.

On the other hand, taking on $36 million in debt is no small decision. While the mayor has emphasized that this proposal is financially responsible, it’s important for residents to ask whether all elements of the plan are necessary and whether alternative funding sources have been fully explored.

Balancing immediate needs with long-term financial health is a challenge that city leaders must navigate carefully. All it takes is one disaster, one unplanned change or a larger economic downturn and this gets bad fast!

As Jackson’s city council prepares to review this proposal, the community must decide: Is this the right time to make such a large investment, or should the city scale back to address only the most urgent needs?

What do you think, Jackson? Should the city move forward with this ambitious plan, or should it take a more conservative approach? Let us know your thoughts in the poll below.

That’s a wrap for this week!

Monday, December 23rd

Story Time 📖
Date: Monday, December 23rd
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Main Library
Price: Free

Tuesday, December 24th

40th Annual Christmas Eve Breakfast 🥓
Date: Tuesday, December 24th
Time: 5:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Old Country Store
Price: $5.99 For Adults & Seniors ($3.99 For Kids)
Additional Details: This Even Includes A Special Appearance From Santa @ 8:00 AM, While Enjoying Some Of Our Classic Breakfast Favorites!

Wednesday, December 25th

Escape Room - Santa’s Getaway Cabin 🧑‍🎄
Date: Wednesday, December 25th
Time: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Location: 731 Escape
Price: Check For Price (Must Reserve)
Additional Details: This Will Be The Perfect Weekend Getaway To Save Christmas! Help Find Santa’s Magical Key To His Sleigh, Without It Santa Can’t Deliver Christmas Presents!

Thursday, December 26th

WINTER BREAK SKATE CAMP 🛼
Date: Thursday, December 26th
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Ritz Magic Wheels
Price: (Click For Pricing) Lunch Is Included.
Additional Details: Get Your Kids Out Of The House This Winter Break With Our Skate Camp! The Will Learn The Fundamentals Of Skating By Our Trained Staff, Play Games & More.

Friday, December 27th

Festival Of Lights 💡
Date: Friday, December 26th
Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Pugh Bourne Park
Price: $10 Per Car

Saturday, December 28th

Open House Crafting Hours 🖍️
Date: Saturday, December 28th
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Main Library
Price: Free
Additional Details: Are You A Bit Of A Crafter, Then Come Out To Use Our Supplies & Let Your Creative Side Out!

Monday, December 23rd

Story Time 📖
Date: Monday, December 23rd
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Main Library
Price: Free

Tuesday, December 24th

40th Annual Christmas Eve Breakfast 🥓
Date: Tuesday, December 24th
Time: 5:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Old Country Store
Price: $5.99 For Adults & Seniors ($3.99 For Kids)
Additional Details: This Even Includes A Special Appearance From Santa @ 8:00 AM, While Enjoying Some Of Our Classic Breakfast Favorites!

Wednesday, December 25th

Escape Room - Santa’s Getaway Cabin 🧑‍🎄
Date: Wednesday, December 25th
Time: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Location: 731 Escape
Price: Check For Price (Must Reserve)
Additional Details: This Will Be The Perfect Weekend Getaway To Save Christmas! Help Find Santa’s Magical Key To His Sleigh, Without It Santa Can’t Deliver Christmas Presents!

Thursday, December 26th

WINTER BREAK SKATE CAMP 🛼
Date: Thursday, December 26th
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Ritz Magic Wheels
Price: (Click For Pricing) Lunch Is Included.
Additional Details: Get Your Kids Out Of The House This Winter Break With Our Skate Camp! The Will Learn The Fundamentals Of Skating By Our Trained Staff, Play Games & More. 

Christmas Day Camp 🤸
Date: Thursday, December 26th
Time: 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Arrow Athletics
Price: (Click For Pricing)
Ages: 4 - 12 Years Old
Additional Details: We Know That Christmas Break Is Here & Schools Are Closed But We Are Still Open!

Friday, December 27th

WINTER BREAK SKATE CAMP 🛼
Date: Friday, December 26th
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Ritz Magic Wheels
Price: (Click For Pricing) Lunch Is Included.
Additional Details: Get Your Kids Out Of The House This Winter Break With Our Skate Camp! The Will Learn The Fundamentals Of Skating By Our Trained Staff, Play Games & More. 

Christmas Day Camp 🤸
Date: Friday, December 26th
Time: 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Arrow Athletics
Price: (Click For Pricing)
Ages: 4 - 12 Years Old
Additional Details: We Know That Christmas Break Is Here & Schools Are Closed But We Are Still Open!

Festival Of Lights 💡
Date: Friday, December 26th
Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Pugh Bourne Park
Price: $10 Per Car

Saturday, December 28th

Puzzling Adventures Scavenger Hunt - Jackson Tennessee 🧩
Date: Saturday, December 28th
Time: 1:00 PM - 11:00 PM (Time Based On How Long It Takes To Solve.)
Location: 119 East College Street
Price: $49.99 Per Team

Open House Crafting Hours 🖍️
Date: Saturday, December 28th
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Main Library
Price: Free
Additional Details: Are You A Bit Of A Crafter, Then Come Out To Use Our Supplies & Let Your Creative Side Out!