Success Story: Erwin Downtown Revitalization
Read about how Erwin, TN, used six different grants to transform the town’s central business zone.
Success Story: Sweetwater Train Car Restoration
Read about how Sweetwater, TN, leveraged a Tourism Enhancement Grant to restore a historic traincar.
Success Story: Lick Skillet Farm
Read about how a farm in Jefferson County adopted innovate sustainable practices by using a grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Welcome to the Rural Toolbox

Over the past several years, rural Tennessee has seen tremendous progress across a variety of metrics. In 2018, 19 of Tennessee's rural counties were classified as distressed by the Appalachian Regional Commission, with a net economic rating in the bottom 10% of the nation. Today, the number of distressed counties has dropped to 11. Rural communities and their leaders have driven this success by collaborating with state agencies, private partners, and non-profits on issues like workforce development, education, infrastructure, and economic development.

However, much work remains to be done. State leaders remain focused on reducing the number of distressed and at-risk counties, providing resources to rural communities, and working alongside local partners to drive rural prosperity. To help local leaders in their work, this toolbox contains a database of state funding opportunities, a collection of success stories about creative uses of state programs by rural communities, and a list of other partnership opportunities.