Rep. Dan Howell, left, with Bill James, county mayor of Meigs County
District 22 State Rep. Dan Howell has notified Meigs County Mayor Bill James that the county has been awarded a $20,000 Tourism Enhancement Grant.
The grant is part of $1 million appropriated by the Tennessee Legislature allowing the State Department of Tourism and Department of Economic and Community Development to work together to promote economic development and tourism in rural Tennessee.
County Mayor James said, "The grant will be used to fund a Tourism Asset Action Plan for Meigs County."
Rep.
Howell said, "This $20,000 grant will be a tremendous help to Meigs County. This community has wonderful assets, such as, more than 40 miles of Tennessee River shoreline, the Hiwassee River and the Cherokee Removal Memorial. This money will help local leaders meet the challenge of creating a plan of action to let potential tourists know about what's available here."
There were 29 communities selected from a pool of 61 applications in the first round of awards. The Grants Assist counties and cities in improving local assets to increase the economic impact of tourism.