The state of Tennessee is providing 18 rural communities a total of $6.2 million in site development grants to help develop the infrastructure for new business and industrial growth.
The newest round of grants announced today include $500,000 for grading of an access road to the Rhea County Rail Hub South Industrial Development, $209,300 for a geophysical survey of the Franklin County Moon Property, $137,453 for the Manchester Industrial Park for another 1,150 linear feet of waterlines, relocation of electric utility lines, and drainage improvements, and $280,000 for clearing another 26 acres for the Tullahoma Airport Business Park.
“We are proud to see these communities investing in themselves and anticipate seeing each community thrive in our state,” Economic and Community Development Director Bob Rolfe said today in announcing the grants funded through the larger Rural Economic Opportunity Act passed in 2016.
The projects prepare the sites for new business operations and jobs. In total, 33 communities have been awarded Site Development Grants with 15 communities receiving the grants in 2016.
“With the help of the Rural Economic Opportunity Act and these Site Development Grants, communities receiving these funds will be one, two and three steps closer to investment and growth. I am excited to see our rural communities have the opportunity to submit sites and compete on an even bigger level than before,” Amy New, assistant commissioner of rural development in the Department of Economic and Community Development.
The grants were picked from among 28 applications by an advisory board from state agencies, TVA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.