Tourism Enhancement Grants Awarded to 25 Tennessee Communities

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – 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 to improve local tourism assets to increase the economic impact of the community. 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,” said Commissioner Kevin Triplett, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “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,” TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe 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,” said Amy New, TNECD assistant commissioner of Rural Development. “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

City of Loudon - $75,000

City of Jackson - $50,000

Marion County - $50,000

McMinn County -  $75,000

Metropolitan Lynchburg/Moore County - $75,000

Polk County - $75,000

City of Baxter - $75,000

City of Cross Plains - $36,250

Town of Smyrna - $36,000

Town of Huntsville - $75,000

Town of Carthage - $55,147

City of Portland - $42,450

Town of Erwin - $60,688

City of Martin - $75,000

About the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is to motivate travel to and within Tennessee by inspiring enjoyment, creating memories, producing a desire to return, and establishing key long-term relationships that result in visitors becoming residents. The promise of Tennessee—the birthplace of the blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly, and rock ‘n’ roll—is to be the global music destination of choice. To deliver an unparalleled experience of beauty, history, and family adventure, infused with music that creates a vacation that is the “Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.”

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Team Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Tennessee is the only three-time winner of “State of the Year” for economic development by Business Facilities magazine. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.

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