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Published on: 06/12/2026

Clarksburg receives Municipal League award for Small Town Progress

City Hall Renovation Clarksburg
Officials and residents with Clarksburg cut the ribbon on the new town hall, which has become an important gathering space for the local community. (Photo by Clarksburg)

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

Clarksburg Gazebo
The gazebo at Clarksburg's town park. (Photo by Clarksburg)

 As a result of dedicated efforts by municipal officials to create positive momentum with limited resources, the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) is pleased to honor Clarksburg with the Small City Progress Award. 

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

Clarksburg Sweetheart Dinner
The new Clarksburg Town Hall has provided a valuable space for community events, such as this Sweetheart Dinner on Valentine's Day. (Photo by Clarksburg)

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 the 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.   

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