The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced Friday the 11 counties that will receive ThreeStar Competitive Enhancement Grants.
The grants will be used for a variety of local programs addressing public safety, health, education and workforce development.
The eleven communities receiving ThreeStar Competitive Enhancement Grants include Bedford, Cannon, Claiborne, Crockett, Giles, Greene, Hardeman, Henderson, Madison, Marion and McMinn counties.
“We’re excited to assist communities that are actively working to promote local education and workforce readiness, public safety initiatives as well as health and wellness programs,” TNECD Commissioner Randy Boyd said. “I can’t wait to see the results of these local initiatives, which are all innovative projects that will show that Tennessee communities are committed to investing in themselves, a vital step in spurring new investments from the private sector.”
In total, TNECD has awarded $250,000 to Tennessee communities through the ThreeStar Competitive Enhancement Grant program. The grants are part of TNECD’s Rural Economic Development Fund, launched last fall and designed to build capacity for transformative economic development strategies in rural Tennessee.
“The eleven communities receiving these grants have all put forward plans tailored to the needs of their counties. They range from a local career week to additional materials and equipment for their TCAT, as well as advanced manufacturing training courses,” Amy New, TNECD assistant commissioner for rural development, said. “These projects represent some of the best ideas coming from Team Tennessee. TNECD is proud to partner with these communities as they ready themselves for future investments and economic success.”
Funding for the ThreeStar Competitive Enhancement Grant program comes through one-time revenues in the department’s existing budget. The eleven counties selected were chosen out of 28 applications.
Each application was supported by the community’s senator and representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly.