Tourism Enhancement Grants Awarded to 27 Tennessee Communities

NASHVILLE, TN - June 20, 2019 – The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development today jointly announced 27 communities will receive more than $1.3 million in the fourth round of Tourism Enhancement Grants to assist with tourism infrastructure assets. The two agencies partnered to assist counties and cities seeking to improve local tourism assets and ultimately, attract more visitors to their area. In 2017, visitors added $20.7 billion to Tennessee’s economy.

Tourism Enhancement Grants are designed for cities and counties seeking to invest in local tourism infrastructure assets. Eligible projects include stages, signage, enhancement to attractions or venues and other resources that target expanding local tourism.

“I am pleased to support Tennessee’s growing tourism sector, particularly in rural counties,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “Tourism continues to be a key economic development driver across our state, and these grants will help even more Tennesseans experience the benefits of this industry.”

In keeping with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s first executive order to better serve rural Tennessee, the grants will address tourism needs for 7 distressed and 12 at-risk counties. $976,128 funds are earmarked for the 19 rural counties.

“Tourism is an important factor for economic development in Tennessee. This program provides valuable opportunities for growth in our important rural areas,” said Commissioner Mark Ezell, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “Our partnership with TNCED allows us to invest in development resulting in increased visitation and more funds coming back into the community.”

“There are countless communities across Tennessee that have tremendous tourism assets,” added Commissioner Bob Rolfe, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “We’re proud to partner with Tourist Development to help communities across our state bring their tourism strengths front and center.”

The Tourism Enhancement Grant program, in its fourth 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.

The grants awarded include:

Bledsoe County             $50,000          

Campbell County          $75,000          

City of Clifton                $71,250

City of Collinwood        $19,000          

City of Dayton               $42,500

City of McKenzie           $47,500          

City of McMinnville       $75,000          

City of Paris                    $43,203

City of Ripley                 $31,500

City of Savannah           $75,000          

City of South Pittsburg  $64,340                      

City of Sparta                 $42,500

Cocke County                $27,000

Grainger County           $75,000          

Lewis County                 $25,000

Morgan County             $75,000

Roane County                $75,000

Scott County                  $35,000

Sequatchie County        $75,000          

Town of Bolivar             $16,200          

Town of Dover               $28,150          

Town of Huntingdon     $13,000

Town of Linden              $2,525            

Town of Monterey          $56,700          

Town of Mountain City   $75,000                      

Town of Tracy City         $75,000          

White County                 $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
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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