Clarksburg Receives Small City Progress Award

NASHVILLE (June 15) — With a population of only 379, the city of Clarksburg shows that even the smallest municipality can make big progress through collaboration and innovation.

As a result of dedicated efforts by municipal officials to create positive momentum with limited resources, the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) has honored Clarksburg with the Small City Progress Award. The award will be presented at the 86th annual TML Conference and Expo, hosted at the MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport, Tenn. July 9-12, 2026.

Classified as an economically distressed community, Clarksburg meets challenges head-on. When current mayor Howell Todd and the board of aldermen were elected in 2018, they inherited a nearly 20-year-old sewer system with financial complications that drew the attention of both the State Comptroller and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

The system was originally established to correct an issue with sewage seeping above ground in bad weather, putting the local school at risk of closure. Although the sewer system was necessary, the state requires systems to rely on revenue from customers to avoid a deficit, and rates are set to cover expenses. This structure can put pressure on a small community with limited revenue.

To address the obstacles, Clarksburg refinanced one of the loans supporting the sewer system at a reduced rate through the Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund. The city also collaborated with Carroll County on an American Rescue Plan grant that addressed critical needs and rehabilitated two sewer pump stations critical to wastewater collection.

With an eye to the future, Clarksburg has also invested in numerous projects to beautify the city and improve accessibility and safety. Police vehicles have been upgraded, new welcome signs and pole banners now greet visitors along Highway 22, and a project to install improved street signage citywide is underway. Thanks to fundraising efforts, Clarksburg purchased new Christmas lights at no cost to the city. Additionally, the Tennessee Department of Transportation awarded Clarksburg a $940,000 Multimodal Access Grant to install the city’s first sidewalks.

One of Clarksburg’s most significant projects has been the total renovation and expansion of its city hall, paid for through a USDA Rural Development grant and fundraising efforts. Beyond serving the immediate needs of municipal officials, the city hall provides a community room and kitchen that has become the place in Clarksburg for celebrating birthdays, retirements, baby showers and other events.

Clarksburg has also taken steps toward building community trust through transparency. Small enough to know citizens personally, city officials regularly meet residents where they are and they keep the city’s website updated with the latest agendas, meeting minutes and financial reports.

Each year, the Tennessee Municipal League honors towns and cities across the state for excellence, outstanding programs and projects, and municipal department accomplishments.

Award winners for 2026 include Newport for Excellence in Parks and Recreation, Paris for Excellence in Economic and Community Development, Gatlinburg for Excellence in Public Works and Innovation, Cookeville for Excellence in Fire Service, Maryville for Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Conservation, and McMinnville for Excellence in Overall Governance.

Founded in 1940 and based in Nashville, the Tennessee Municipal League serves as the voice of and advocate for Tennessee’s 345 towns and cities.