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Sweeney seeks re-election to Commission

Posted 5/24/22

District 5 Bedford County Commissioner and local business owner Jeff Sweeney has announced he will seek a second term on Bedford County Board of Commissioners. District 5 includes Normandy, Raus, and …

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Sweeney seeks re-election to Commission

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District 5 Bedford County Commissioner and local business owner Jeff Sweeney has announced he will seek a second term on Bedford County Board of Commissioners. District 5 includes Normandy, Raus, and Flat Creek communities.

“One of the things I consistently hear is we don’t want to grow so large; we’re no longer Bedford County . . . need to keep our smalltown atmosphere.”

Sweeney said he will continue to look closely at zoning plans, monitor strategic planning opportunities and continue to enhance the County’s infrastructure opportunities.

“It is critical we protect what we have–a safe community in which to live and raise children, the ability to work from home with access to internet and retire in a place where property taxes remain low.”

Sweeney serves on the Bedford County Planning Commission. He is a founding board member of Shelbyville-Bedford County Partnership and a co-founder of Arrowhead Boys Ranch in Normandy. A retired reserve deputy and SWAT officer, Sweeney and wife, Pam, have 4 children.

“I’m running for a second term to continue the growth of our industry in Bedford County; to create quality higher paying jobs, to keep our taxes low . . . improve our educational opportunities and protect our quality of life.”

Sweeney said he started his first term as commissioner by rolling up his sleeves and contributing his building and construction knowledge on behalf of Bedford County.

Those Bedford County projects completed during his term include the new Judicial Center, the new Cascade High School, the County Annex Building, and the Learning Way School addition. He advised how his oversight contributions of over $70 million worth of construction projects has saved Bedford County taxpayers over $1 million. He’s also given a lot of volunteer time, he said.

“I’ve contributed almost 2,000 volunteer hours in the last 3 years, and every hour has been worth it to me and more importantly to the County taxpayer. If you want to be in public service, it is your responsibility to commit the amount of work it takes for the sake of our children.”

After receiving a bachelor’s in business management from Harding University in Searcy, Ark., Sweeney became a general contractor. Starting Sweeney Construction 35 years ago, he has since won multiple construction awards in both homebuilding, construction and project development throughout Tennessee and Florida.

“Bedford County is bustling. We have developed an excellent relationship with Middle Tennessee State University and believe we have a real potential opportunity to build something special.”

He anticipates the groundbreaking which will occur this year on a state-of-the-art $47 million dollar TCAT-Shelbyville facility. Sweeney has also been involved in tourism opportunities, such as Nearest Green Distillery, now located off Highway 231 North.

There’s also the implementation of a new Countywide master plan—one which includes hotels and restaurants and new developments at the industrial park. This proves the County is now moving in a smart growth direction, Sweeney advised.

The pandemic

“We learned a great many things during COVID. We understand it is critical to do a better job of strategic planning, where we are looking five, eight and even10 years out, managing our growth. We also need to be developing a robust state and federal grant program. These programs do not impact our property tax base and help to stabilize our tax rate. A strong economic base allows us to generate sufficient revenue to cover our educational costs,” he said.

Bedford County General Election is Aug. 4. Early voting is July 15-30.