Organizers ask Coffee County for help to revive Soapbox Derby; event set for May 2

Greg Douglas, speaking for a newly formed 501(c)(3) organizing the Coffee County Soapbox Derby, asked the committee for volunteer support and possible nonprofit funding as his group revives a local soapbox derby scheduled for May 2.

Douglas said the event was run in nearby Tullahoma for about 26–28 years before city support was withdrawn; five community members formed a nonprofit and registered with the sanctioning body in Akron, Ohio. "We will have a race this year, May 2. I think we've got about 40 kids. We're cutting it off at 40," Douglas said.

He described event features and benefits, including four competitive divisions, hands-on STEM learning for participants, a Superkids division for children with disabilities (who race with a driver and dual steering), and local club involvement from Kiwanis and the Lions Club. Douglas said the organizers have ordered 10 new cars and intend to build three Akron-eligible cars for winners who need them to meet inspection requirements.

On costs and support, Douglas said the city provided an estimate of about $23,000 per year to stage the event (that figure excludes car purchases), and the organizers requested donations to help expand the event next year; Douglas said "$25,000 would give us kind of a basis to where we can have next year's race." He emphasized that scholarship assistance would be available so winners who cannot afford travel to Akron can attend; he called the event a family- and community-building activity.

Committee members suggested potential short-term support from tourism funds and agreed to place the request in the board's nonprofit funding discussion; staff said the organizers did not need immediate county money for this year's race because they had already purchased insurance and several cars. Members encouraged volunteers for building clinics and logistics and asked organizers to be present when the board considers nonprofit funding.