Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) awarded a dozen grants to communities across the state to assist economic development programs.
The grants, which total $8 million, are to be used for infrastructure and engineering improvements on industrial sites throughout the state.
“Thanks to the support of the General Assembly, the Site Development Grants program will enhance an additional 12 industrial sites for future economic development projects,” Lee said of the investment. “I remain committed to rural Tennessee, and these grants will help our communities attract jobs and support economic growth across our state.”
An advisory committee consisting of TNECD officials, Austin Consulting, the Tennessee Valley Authority, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and Tennessee Department of Transportation allocated the grants following an application process.
According to a release from TNECD, the recipients are cities and counties located throughout the state:
- Anderson County Economic Development Association
- City of Cookeville
- City of Shelbyville
- Decatur County
- Dickson County
- Grundy County
- Industrial Development Board of Perry County
- Loudon County Economic Development Agency
- Macon County
- The Henderson County Joint Economic and Community Development Board
- The Industrial Development Board of the City of Fayetteville and Lincoln County
- Washington County
“The Site Development Grants program is essential to our Tennessee communities as it not only helps to create shovel-ready sites but serves as a catalyst for achieving the ultimate goal of Select Tennessee site certification,” TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe said. “We look forward to seeing the communities’ successes that follow this latest round of awards.”
The funding stems from the Site Development Grant program, which is a part of the Rural Economic Opportunity Act. The program has awarded 127 grants since 2016, totaling more than $47 million.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
