Governor Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd announced Thursday that 29 communities will receive more than $1 million in Tourism Enhancement Grants to assist with tourism infrastructure assets.
“We want to congratulate the 29 communities that will be receiving Tourism Enhancement Grants,” Governor Haslam said. “Tourism is an important part of our state economy, and these grants showcase how tourist development and economic development work together to make our state not only a great place to live and work, but a top tourist destination.
With the assistance of these grants each community will be able to grow and enhance their local tourism assets.”
The grants help counties and cities improve local assets to increase the economic impact of tourism. This is second round of the Tourism Enhancement Grant program. In July, nearly $1 million was awarded to 29 communities during the first round of tourism grants.
“I am happy to announce the 29 communities that have been awarded Tourism Enhancement Grants,” Comm. Boyd said. “Tourist development and economic development have a great partnership with a common goal: making sure Tennessee and the communities across the state are able to succeed and grow. With these grants, each participating community has shown that they are investing in economic development and the future growth in our state.”
The Tourism Enhancement Grants are funded through the Rural Economic Opportunity Act, which is designed to improve the economic indicators in rural communities across Tennessee. Announcements will follow this spring for Site Development Grants, Main Street Entrepreneur Grants and Asset-Enhancement Grants for distressed communities.
“Arguably the only thing about this program more exciting than announcing the grant recipients is the opportunity it provides these communities,” Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett said. “The Tourism Enhancement Grants help enhance local tourism assets, which is an integral part of every county in Tennessee. Our partners at TNECD realize how critical these assets are in regards to tourism and economic development and I am thankful for the commitment to helping these communities grow.”
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 50 grant applications.
The grants awarded include:
Anderson County - $50,000
Benton County - $50,000
Bledsoe County - $10,000
Campbell County - $47,605
Carter County - $20,000
Cocke County - $20,000
Coffee County - $50,000
Dyer County, City of Dyersburg - $50,000
Fayette County - $10,000
Gibson County, City of Milan - $50,000
Grundy County - $20,000
Henry County, City of Paris - $32,900
Houston County - $50,000
Jefferson County, Town of Dandridge - $50,000
Lauderdale County, Town of Halls - $50,000
Lawrence County - $45,000
Marion County - $10,000
Marshall County, City of Lewisburg - $50,000
McNairy County - $50,000
Perry County - $20,000
Polk County - $20,000
Rhea County - $50,000
Sequatchie County - $10,000
Stewart County - $20,000
Sumner County - $30,000
Van Buren County - $50,000
Washington County, Town of Jonesborough - $50,000
Wayne County, City of Clifton - $47,500
White County - $50,000
Each application was supported by the community’s senator and representative in the Tennessee General Assembly.