Last Edited: September 22, 2025 @ 4:17 pm

The Montgomery County Information Technology Department and Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library are proud to announce new public Wi-Fi additions at RichEllen Park, Woodlawn Park, along with a technology expansion at Downtown Commons, and digital literacy tool offerings at the Public Library, made possible by the Broadband Ready Communities Grant Program. 

Montgomery County received a $100,000 Broadband Ready Communities Grant, with no local match required, to expand public Wi-Fi access and support digital literacy programs for underserved residents. Of the total grant, $50,000 was dedicated to installing and expanding public Wi-Fi at County Parks, with service focused on parking lots and hard-surface areas. This ensures residents, especially those underserved or without reliable home internet, can easily connect from their vehicles or nearby gathering spaces and have convenient options for online services like completing schoolwork and accessing healthcare. 

The remaining $50,000 is dedicated to supporting digital literacy initiatives through the Public Library with programs designed to help residents—especially those with limited technology experience—develop practical skills, build confidence using online resources, and gain access to education, employment, healthcare, and other essential services. 

“Expanding public wi-fi and digital literacy offerings for our underserved residents is a big step forward in making sure folks right here in Montgomery County have access to the digital tools they need. These options make it easier for them to stay connected to online services and provide the support they need through our Public Library,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.  

“For many of the families I represent, reliable internet and digital skills seem to be a luxury—this investment will serve as a lifeline for them. Our elderly and immobile constituents can access healthcare video calls, students from kindergarten to post-secondary can complete schoolwork, and job seekers can apply for opportunities that require online applications without being left behind. I’m proud to see resources going directly to the communities that need them most, because true progress means everyone in Montgomery County gets equal access to live better.” said Rashidah A. Leverett, Montgomery County Commissioner, District 5. 

“Expanding public Wi-Fi to RichEllen Park ensures that families in District 6 have another reliable source of internet close to home. This addition will help students with schoolwork, support parents with essential services, and create new opportunities for connection, education, and access in our community,” said Michael Lankford, Montgomery County Commissioner, District 6. 

“Montgomery County IT is proud to have played a role in expanding the coverage of publicly available Wi-Fi for our community through this grant funding. This investment provides residents with reliable, high-speed broadband access at three different parks throughout Montgomery County, with the goal of enhancing connectivity and opportunities for those in our underserved areas.” said Skip Burchett, Montgomery County Information Technology Director. 

“At the North Branch Library, we are committed to expanding access and opportunity through inclusive digital literacy initiatives. Our hands-on programs help individuals with limited technology experience build practical skills, gain confidence using online resources, and explore interactive tools—that empower our community to learn, connect, and thrive in a digital world,” said Christina Reidel, Clarksville-Montgomery County Library Director. 

For more information about Montgomery County Information Technology, visit: montgomerytn.gov/it 
For more information about the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library, visit: montgomerytn.gov/publiclibrary 

About the Broadband Ready Communities Grant Program  
The Broadband Ready Communities Grant Program supports initiatives that bring digital access and connectivity directly to constituents, helping communities leverage technology for education, business, healthcare, and public services. The program empowers counties to develop local solutions that address the unique broadband needs of their residents. 

About the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act (TBAA) 
Enacted in 2017, the TBAA seeks to expand broadband access across the state, particularly in underserved and rural areas, promoting economic growth, educational opportunities, and improved quality of life. 

At the annual Conference of the Tennessee Association of Property Tax Professionals (TAPTP) in August, TAPTP honored members whose work has advanced the profession and improved statewide practices. Among those recognized was Montgomery County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins, receiving the Legacy Award. 

Erica Gilmore, TAPTP President, shared, “In every capacity of TAPTP leadership, including her service as President and now as Past-Past President, Trustee Wiggins has gone the extra mile to strengthen statewide collaboration and advance the profession of delinquent property tax collection. Her commitment to furthering the organization’s overall goals and her continued service as an active board member have helped shape TAPTP’s success across Tennessee.” 

At the spring conference in Paris, TN in early May, the Tennessee County Trustees Association (TCTA) honored Montgomery County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins with the President’s Award for her outstanding work, leadership, and dedication to advancing the mission of the statewide Trustees Association.  

“Kimberly is a leader I can trust to take initiative and engage others to help us to learn and continually grow. She takes on her role as our Education & Vendor Committee with energetic grace.”  said Randi French, President of the Tennessee County Trustees Association. 

“I am honored to receive the President’s and Legacy awards from two amazing groups of TAPTP and TCTA professionals. It has been a privilege to work alongside these dedicated colleagues across the state of Tennessee, committed to advancing our profession and supporting initiatives that benefit the residents of our communities,” said Montgomery County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins. 

The Montgomery County Commission will seek applicants to fill the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, District 3, vacant seat and fulfill the remainder of the term through August 2026. Voting for the vacancy will take place in the Commission Chambers on the Third Floor of the Historic Courthouse, 1 Millennium Plaza, Clarksville, Tennessee, at the Formal Commission meeting on Monday, November 10, at six o’clock p.m., 2025. 
 
Candidates must be at least 18 years of age, a resident within and a qualified voter of the district, have lived in the county for at least one year, and be a high-school graduate or equivalent. Interested candidates may submit a letter of interest, a current resume, a copy of their high-school diploma or GED, and a copy of their current voter registration card to district3vacancy@montgomerytn.gov no later than noon on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. 
 
All qualified candidates will be given 5 minutes to speak to the County Commission at the Informal meeting on Monday, November 3, at six o’clock p.m., 2025. 

The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency is joining the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and Lowe’s for Tune It Tuesday, a statewide weather radio programming event happening on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

This initiative aims to help Tennesseans prepare for emergencies by ensuring NOAA Weather Radios are correctly programmed to receive location-specific emergency alerts.

“The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is proud to partner with Lowe's and TEMA on this effort. NOAA Weather Radios are one of the most reliable ways to get timely and potentially life-saving information during severe weather or other emergencies and are a critical tool when the power is out or cell networks are down,” said Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency Director Steve Batten.

Tune It Tuesday Event Details: 

• Tuesday, September 23, 2025
• 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Clarksville Lowe’s: 2150 Lowes Dr, Clarksville, TN 37040

• EMA personnel will be assisting community members with programming new or existing NOAA Weather Radios.

A limited number of Midland NOAA Weather Radios will be available, first-come, first-served, courtesy of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). In addition, TEMA is providing free batteries for weather radios, while supplies last. Lowe’s will have additional weather radios and other preparedness tools available for purchase.

For more information on weather radio programming, a list of participating counties, and other preparedness resources, visit TEMA’s website.

To learn more about the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency, visit montgomerytn.gov/ema.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Government, in coordination with the City of Clarksville Street Department, will be closing 2nd Street between Franklin and Commerce Streets starting at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, September 19, 2025, to facilitate roof replacement on the Montgomery County Historic Courthouse. The roadway is anticipated to be open to all traffic by 4:00 p.m.

A crane and associated equipment that will be used as part of this replacement will block this segment of the street and street parking. Drivers should be aware of this closure downtown and plan alternate route