Rutherford County fared well with the passage of the 2015 - 2016 state budget according to Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) and Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville), who represent the county in the State Senate. The lawmakers said the county will share in many appropriations which have statewide impact like new funds for food banks and community health departments, but other items specifically with a dollar attached in the budget going to Rutherford County projects will improve education, create jobs, and preserve local history.

Senate Bill 1399, which funds state government for the year beginning July 1, was approved by the General Assembly before lawmakers adjourned last week.

"The vast majority of money appropriated in the budget earmarked for Rutherford County is about creating jobs and improving both the structure and instructional programs at MTSU," said Ketron. "We were also able to get several other local projects funded that are important to the citizens of Rutherford County."

"The expansion of Nissan will not only provide new jobs for local citizens but will create other jobs from supporting businesses - so it will be a big boost for our economy," added Tracy. "We were very pleased that we were able to help secure all of these funds."

Appropriations for Rutherford County include:

• $84.1million in state appropriations for Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), an increase of $1.25 million;
• $7.07 million for capital projects using school bonds and institutional funds at MTSU including $1,800,000 for a bus maintenance facility, $650,000 for chiller replacement, $850,000 for College Heights renovation, $780,000 for Corlew and Cummings elevator replacement, $280,000 for facilities storage sheds, $530,000 for Floyd Stadium visitors training area, $680,000 for Natatorium upgrades, and $1,500,000 for Womack Lane Housing plumbing upgrades.
• $2.65 million in capital projects for central Plant control updates at MTSU
• $174.76 million in state appropriations for Rutherford County Local Education Agencies (LEAs), an increase of $4.68 million;
• $34.03 million in state appropriations for the Murfreesboro City LEAs, an increase of $2.59 million;
• $100,054 for one Public Defender position to help expedite justice in the court system;
• $40 million in incentives to help create approximately 1,000 jobs at Nissan North America in a new Supplier Park;
• $270,000 for parking expansion at the State Veterans Home;
• $9,300 for roof repairs at the Sam Davis Home; and
• $250,000 to the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Fund which can be used for the purchase of the King-Johns House in Smyrna.

The budget now goes to Governor Bill Haslam for his signature before becoming law.