Governor Haslam, Commissioner Boyd Announce 29 Communities to Receive Tourism Enhancement Grants
Grants to assist communities with tourism infrastructure assets
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd announced today that 29 communities will receive over $999,000 in Tourism Enhancement Grants to assist communities with tourism infrastructure assets.
“We want to congratulate all 29 communities on receiving Tourism Enhancement Grants,” Haslam said. “These grants showcase how great the partnership is between tourist development and economic development. With the support of these grants, each community will be better equipped to succeed in our state and I look forward to seeing these Tennessee communities thrive.”
The grants assist counties and cities in improving local assets to increase the economic impact of tourism.
“I am pleased to announce these 29 communities that have been awarded the Tourism Enhancement Grant,” Boyd said. “It is always exciting when communities choose to invest in economic development initiatives to grow and succeed in our state. Tourism development is economic development, and with the assistance of the Tourism Enhancement Grant and our partnership with Commissioner Kevin Triplett and the Department of Tourist Development, each community will be able to invest in their assets and grow their local economy.”
The Tourism Enhancement Grants were jointly funded by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development with the assistance of the Appalachian Regional Commission.
“We celebrate with each community receiving the Tourism Enhancement Grant,” Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett said. “Tourism development is an important part of every community, but in some cases we were finding a lack of infrastructure to fully take advantage of some tourism opportunities. We appreciate our great partners at TNECD for coming to the table with this initiative for communities to enhance their local tourism assets.”
An advisory committee made up of staff from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture selected the 29 communities from a pool of 61 grant applications.
The grants awarded include:
- Anderson County - $40,000
- City of Bolivar - $50,000
- City of Brownsville - $50,000
- Carroll County - $50,000
- City of Cleveland - $50,000
- Decatur County - $43,000
- City of Etowah - $50,000
- Fentress County - $27,000
- Town of Gainesboro - $45,270
- Greene County - $44,898
- Hamblen County - $7,000
- Hamilton County - $20,000
- City of Henderson - $5,250
- Johnson County - $47,168
- City of Lafayette - $50,000
- Lauderdale County - $20,000
- City of Livingston - $50,000
- City of Manchester - $41,510
- City of McMinnville - $28,500
- Meigs County - $20,000
- Metropolitan Lynchburg - $50,000
- Monroe County - $20,000
- Robertson County - $5,050
- Scott County - $48,707
- Smith County - $50,000
- City of Tiptonville - $31,262
- Unicoi County - $20,000
- Wayne County - $25,000
- City of Winchester - $35,000
Each application was supported by the community’s senator and representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly.
About the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is to motivate travel to and within Tennessee by inspiring enjoyment, creating memories, producing a desire to return, and establishing key long-term relationships that result in visitors becoming residents. The promise of Tennessee—the birthplace of the blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly, and rock ‘n’ roll—is to be the global music destination of choice. To deliver an unparalleled experience of beauty, history, and family adventure, infused with music that creates a vacation that is the “Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.”
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Team Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Tennessee is the only three-time winner of “State of the Year” for economic development by Business Facilities magazine. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
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