Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced that 13 communities will receive more than $5 million in Site Development Grant funding.
The Site Development Grant program is part of the larger Rural Economic Opportunity Act supported by the Tennessee General Assembly for the last three years.
“I would like to congratulate the 13 communities receiving Site Development Grants,” Lee said. “One of Tennessee’s major initiatives is helping rural communities, and with the assistance of these grants, these communities will be better positioned for economic success and investment. I look forward to seeing these communities continue to grow and excel.”
The grants are intended to help rural communities overcome barriers to achieve Select Tennessee site certification and prepare them to receive economic development projects that will create jobs in their communities. The funds assist communities in completing infrastructure needs and making engineering improvements on project-ready sites.
“When a company is looking to expand or locate new operations in our state, one of the most important assets a community can have to land a project is a shovel-ready site,” Rolfe said. “I am proud of these 13 communities for taking the initiative to be better prepared for economic growth with the assistance of the Site Development Grants.”
“Through the Site Development Grants, we are partnering with these communities to help them remain competitive in the economic development game by creating project-ready sites,” said Sammie Arnold, TNECD assistant commissioner of Community and Rural Development. “With this investment, we expect to see more job creation and anticipate future growth in these communities.”
The Site Development Grant program works in cooperation with the department’s Select Tennessee Site Certification program.
Applications were reviewed by an advisory committee made up of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Austin Consulting, Tennessee Valley Authority, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Department of Transportation and USDA Rural Development.
The grants awarded include:
Decatur County:
Decatur County Industrial Site, $95,000 – Conduct due diligence studies
Grundy County:
Pelham Industrial Park, $500,000 – Grading of nine acres and extension of access road, water line and sewer line
Lauderdale County:
Viar Avenue/Ripley Power & Light Industrial Building, $496,871 – Building improvements including repair of the roof, replacement of restroom facilities and clearance of interior office space
City of Henderson:
Henderson Industrial Park, $448,200 – Clearing and grading of 15 acres of land
Hawkins County Industrial Development Board:
Phipps Bend Industrial Park Lots 11, 17 and 18, $99,288 – Conduct due diligence studies
Macon County:
Lafayette/Macon County Industrial Park Site, $27,000 – Development of a Master Plan
Obion County Joint Economic Development Council:
Titan Golf Course site, $90,000 – Conduct due diligence studies
Stewart County:
Stewart-Houston Industrial Park, $35,155 – Conduct archeological survey, prepare topography and grading plan, and perform rail feasibility study
City of Jackson:
Highway 223 East Site, $379,546 – Clearing of 16 acres and design of a new industrial access road
Lewisburg Industrial Development Board:
I-65 Commerce Park, $378,000 – Purchase of 27 acres
City of Morristown:
East Tennessee Progress Center, $1,000,000 – Grading to prepare 1 million square foot building site
City of Columbia Tennessee Industrial Development Board:
Oakland Rail Site, $1,000,000 – Purchase 129 acres of land
Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board:
Clarksville Montgomery County Corporate Business Park North, $500,000 – Grading of 42 acres
TNECD is currently accepting applications for the next round of Site Development Grants. All local governments interested in receiving Site Development Grants must submit a Letter of Intent by March 8, 2019 and a completed application by April 5, 2019. Additional information regarding the grants can be found here.
Each application was supported by the community’s senator and representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly.