Tourism Enhancement Grants Awarded To 25 Tennessee Communities

Monday, April 16, 2018

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced 25 communities will receive more than $1.5 million in the third round of Tourism Enhancement Grants to assist with tourism infrastructure assets.

The two agencies partnered to assist counties and cities improve local tourism assets to increase the economic impact of their communities. Tourism Enhancement Grants are designed for cities and counties seeking to invest in local tourism infrastructure assets, such as stages, signage, enhancement to attractions or venues and other resources that target expanding local tourism.

“Assisting a partner in shoring up a tourism asset is critical to rural areas,” Commissioner Kevin Triplett, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development said. “Tourism development is economic development and in some rural areas, tourism is a main industry. We appreciate our partnership with TNECD and the willingness that team has to invest in upgrades that not only increase opportunities for visitation but enhance the quality of life for the citizens of these communities.”

The Tourism Enhancement Grant program, in its third round, is funded through the Rural Economic Opportunity Act, which is designed to improve the economic indicators in rural communities across Tennessee. Each application was supported by the community’s senator and representative in the Tennessee General Assembly.

“Tourism is one of the most important economic drivers in many Tennessee communities, and in partnership with the Department of Tourist Development, we want to continue to help communities promote and grow their tourism assets,” Commissioner Bob Rolfe, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development said. “In the first two rounds of the program, more than $2 million was awarded to nearly 60 projects across the state. I congratulate the 25 communities selected in the third round as these projects will have a profound and lasting impact on Tennessee’s tourism infrastructure.”

“We have seen an incredible amount of positive activity happening throughout the state thanks to the passage of the Rural Economic Opportunity Act, and the tourism enhancement grants are no exception,” Amy New, TNECD assistant commissioner of Rural Development, said. “I am proud of these 25 communities for proactively taking the necessary steps to improve their tourism assets, which will in turn strengthen Tennessee’s economic development efforts.”

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 25 communities out of 39 grant applications.

The grants awarded include:

· City of Oak Ridge - $56,250

· Town of Wartrace - $53,900

· City of McKenzie - $71,250

· Carter County - $51,400

· Town of Alamo - $35,000

· Decatur County- $75,000

· City of Pulaski - $20,000

· Grundy County - $75,000

· Hardin County - $75,000

· City of Brownsville - $57,950

· Hickman County - $75,000