State Rep. Patsy Hazlewood, R-Signal Mountain, has secured $48 million in state funding for economic development initiatives and wage increases in the 112th General Assembly.
Funds will be awarded to the following organizations to enhance economic development in Hamilton County and across Tennessee:
$2 million to Hamilton County Government for Vocational Trade School expenses
$7 million to Launch Tennessee for Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer matching funds
“Economic development initiatives like these have been key to Tennessee’s growth and financial success,” Rep. Hazlewood said. “I am proud to see these investments benefitting small businesses, local governments and our skilled workforce.”
Funds will also be appropriated to increase wages for the following Tennessee workers:
$38,946,000 to the Department of Intellectual & Developmental Development Disabilities to increase wages for Direct Service Providers to $12.50 per hour
“I have fought for these pay increases for the department’s DSPs for many years,” Rep. Hazlewood said. “They truly do God’s work caring for our most vulnerable Tennesseans, and I so greatly appreciate my colleagues in the House and Senate for approving these funds and supporting our DIDD workers.”
The appropriated funds are part of a $42.6 billion balanced budget passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in May.