Funds support local workforce training, health and economic development initiatives
Cannon, Fentress, Jackson, Van Buren, Warren and White counties were recently awarded in the latest round of the State of Tennessee’s ThreeStar grant program. The Three-Star Program is a strategic community development initiative designed to help communities prepare for a brighter future. 34 communities across the state will get funding from the newest round of the program.
In total, TNECD is awarding $9.6 million in funding to Tennessee communities to support local workforce training, health and economic development initiatives.
“I commend these 34 communities for their commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Tennesseans,” said Gov. Lee. “Tennessee is consistently recognized as one of the best places to live, work and raise a family, and we know when our communities invest in their own growth and well-being, they strengthen that reputation and make our state even more appealing to businesses and families alike.”
Updated in 2025, the program now incorporates asset-based planning and a two-year timeline to accomplish long- and short-term goals. The program helps communities develop goals to maximize their local assets and drive economic development.
The funding will be used for a variety of local community development initiatives including:
- education
- workforce development
- health
- tourism
- small business
- entrepreneurship
- economic development, among others, that were prioritized through each community’s strategic planning process
To date, 94 counties have completed the requirements to be certified ThreeStar counties. Certification results in access to other TNECD programs and grant funding and requires a community to develop long- and short-term goals as well as action steps and responsible parties for the goals. Then, the communities are eligible for funding to help with implementation of their goals. With the program updates, distressed counties are eligible for up to $1 million in grant funding, and other communities are eligible for up to $250,000.
“TNECD’s ThreeStar Grant Program plays a critical role in helping Tennessee communities plan and prepare for the future, and to date, 94 of the state’s 95 counties have benefited from this vital program,” McWhorter said. “We are honored to announce additional funding today that will allow us to partner with local governments as they take strategic steps to enhance quality of life and expand workforce development opportunities.”
TNECD will again accept applications through Dec. 30 of this year.
The grants announced today have been awarded to the following recipients:
| Grantee Name | Total Grant Contract Amount |
|---|
| Bledsoe County Board of Education* | $500,000 |
| Cannon County | $250,000 |
| Carroll County | $250,000 |
| Centerville Mainstreet | $74,500 |
| City of Milan | $250,000 |
| Cocke County Partnership* | $100,000 |
| Crockett County | $250,000 |
| Decatur County Chamber of Commerce | $215,000 |
| Economic Development Commission for Pulaski-Giles County, Tennessee, Inc. | $97,500 |
| Economic Development Growth Engine Industrial Development Board of the City of Memphis and County of Shelby, Tennessee | $115,000 |
| Fayette County | $236,355 |
| Fentress County | $50,000 |
| Grundy County* | $1,000,000 |
| Hancock County* | $1,000,000 |
| Hardeman County* | $150,000 |
| Henderson County | $250,000 |
| Jackson County | $157,500 |
| Joint Economic Development Board ofUnicoi County, Inc. | $250,000 |
| Lake County* | $750,000 |
| Lauderdale County | $250,000 |
| McMinn County Economic Development Authority | $20,000 |
| McNairy County | $250,000 |
| Meigs County | $238,000 |
| Perry County* | $400,000 |
| Polk County | $249,860 |
| Rhea County | $150,000 |
| Sevier County Economic Development Council, Inc. | $25,000 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology(TCAT) Oneida* | $1,000,000 |
| The Paris-Henry County Industrial Committee | $53,000 |
| Van Buren County | $250,000 |
| Warren County | $250,000 |
| Washington County Economic DevelopmentCouncil, Inc. | $250,000 |
| Wayne County | $10,000 |
| White County | $250,000 |
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