In this April 13, 2016 photo, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam talks with reporters in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd announced today the state is distributing nearly $1 million to 29 communities for tourism enhancement grants aimed at helping localities with tourism infrastructure.
Hamilton County government will get a $20,000 grant while the city of Cleveland is in store for $50,000.
The grants assist counties and cities in improving local assets to boost economic impacts of tourism.
Haslam said the grants, funded through state and federal sources, “showcase how great the partnership is between tourist development and economic development. With the support of these grants, each community will be better equipped to succeed in our state and I look forward to seeing these Tennessee communities thrive.”
Commissioner Boyd said called it “exciting when communities choose to invest in economic development initiatives to grow and succeed in our state. Tourism development is economic development, and with the assistance of the Tourism Enhancement Grant and our partnership with Commissioner Kevin Triplett and the Department of Tourist Development, each community will be able to invest in their assets and grow their local economy.”
The Tourism Enhancement Grants are jointly funded by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development with the assistance of the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Other Southeast and Middle Tennessee governments governments receiving grants are:
- * City of Etowah – $50,000
- * City of Manchester – $41,510
- * City of McMinnville – $28,500
- * Meigs County – $20,000
- * Monroe County – $20,000
- * City of Winchester – $35,000