Brooks
Southeast Tennessee Development District Executive Director Beth Jones said legislators are nominated from each of the nine development districts. The awards are given to “legislators who show leadership and considerable effort on behalf of their cities and counties.”
After learning of the nomination, Brooks said Wednesday the award was a great honor.
“It is both humbling and honoring at the same time,” he said. “Although it is extremely gratifying to be recognized, it is important to know that it takes a team to get things done.
“There are many people and organizations who work diligently to make Cleveland and Bradley County the best possible place to live, work and raise our families. Among those who help the team are Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland, Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis, Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce CEO and Executive Director Gary Farlow, Chamber Vice President for Economic Development Doug Berry, the Chamber and both city and county governments.”
Davis, president of the Southeast Tennessee Development District, said Brooks is an effective and dedicated servant of the people.
“It is an honor well deserved and we are fortunate to have him as our representative in the 24th Legislative District.”
Rowland said he could not say enough good things about Brooks, whom he considers a good friend and partner in making Cleveland a great place to live.
“Kevin is one of the most effective legislators I have ever seen,” Rowland said. “He is well respected in Nashville as well as in his hometown. He has contributed much in the economic development of the area.”
Rowland said Brooks’ nickname, “Mr. Exit 20” among Tennessee Department of Transportation officials is just one example of his tenacity and perseverance in raising the quality of life in his district. He was also invaluable in the effort to recruit Wacker Polysilicon North America to Bradley County while serving as a member of the Chamber’s first alert team. In that capacity, Brooks served as a strong communications link between Cleveland and Nashville.
“Not only is he an effective legislator, he is just a good person,” Rowland said. “Not only is he a good person, he is a good friend and if not for the hearing in Chancery Court, I’d be in Nashville watching him receive the award.”
Farlow said Brooks has done an outstanding job for his district in Nashville.
“People in the circles I talk to have a great deal of respect for Rep. Brooks on both sides of the aisle,” Farlow said. “It is great to have someone of his caliber in Nashville.”
He said the legislative team of Brooks, Rep. Eric Watson and State Sen. Mike Bell all serve on the chamber’s first alert team to help bring about $2 billion of economic investment to the county.
Michael Nesbitt, TDDA president, and Smith County Mayor Michael Nesbitt said, “We appreciate the support Representative Brooks has given our local governments by supporting the efforts of development districts and local governments in the legislature,”
The TDDA is an association of Tennessee’s nine development districts, which are regional planning and economic development organizations. These policy boards within each District are made up of the state’s 95 counties and 340 municipalities.
Development districts assist with regional issues including planning and economic development coordination; transportation; solid waste; loans and grants for critical infrastructure such as water and sewer systems; housing; tourism; economic development loans; environmental quality and natural resources planning; work force development and services to the elderly.
Brooks serves the 24th Legislative District in Cleveland and Bradley County. He and his wife, Kim, are actively involved in the community and local schools with their two children, Zach, who attends Lee University, and Elizabeth, who attends Cleveland High School.
