Tennessee has allocated $9.6 million in ThreeStar grants to 34 local communities to support workforce training, health programs, and economic development efforts. Governor Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced the funding, highlighting its role in improving quality of life and strengthening regional growth.
“The commitment of these communities to their own advancement reflects positively on Tennessee’s standing as a top destination for families and businesses,” said Governor Lee. “Investments like these reinforce our state’s appeal and long-term sustainability.”
The ThreeStar Program, updated in 2025, is designed to help communities create strategic plans based on local assets. It now includes a two-year implementation framework for achieving both immediate and long-range objectives. Participating areas develop actionable goals with assigned responsibilities, making them eligible for grant funding.
So far, 94 of Tennessee’s 95 counties have achieved ThreeStar certification, which unlocks access to additional state programs and financial support. Distressed counties can receive up to $1 million, while others are eligible for grants of up to $250,000.
Funds will support a range of local priorities, including education, small business development, tourism, entrepreneurship, and public health initiatives—each determined through community-led planning processes.
“This program is instrumental in helping towns prepare for the future,” McWhorter stated. “Today’s announcement expands our partnership with local leaders who are taking deliberate steps to boost workforce opportunities and community well-being.”
Applications for the next round will be accepted until December 30 of this year.
Grant recipients include Grundy County, Hancock County, and Lake County—each receiving $1 million, $1 million, and $750,000 respectively, due to their designation as distressed areas. Other awardees include Cannon County, Carroll County, and the City of Milan, each receiving $250,000. Additional allocations support educational institutions like the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Oneida, which also received $1 million.
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) leads statewide economic growth efforts by attracting investment and supporting existing businesses. More information is available at tnecd.com.
— news from Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development
— News Original —
Governor Lee, Commissioner McWhorter Award ThreeStar Grants to 34 Tennessee Recipients
Thirty-four grants totaling $9.6 million n nFunds support local workforce training, health and economic development initiatives n nNASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced today that 34 communities statewide will receive funding from the latest round of ThreeStar grants. n nIn total, TNECD is awarding $9.6 million in funding to Tennessee communities to support local workforce training, health and economic development initiatives. n n“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.” n nThe ThreeStar Program is a strategic community development program developed to assist communities in preparing for a better future. 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. n nThe funding announced today will be used for a variety of local community development initiatives including education, workforce development, health, tourism, small business, entrepreneurship and economic development programs, among others that were prioritized through each community’s strategic planning process. n nTo 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. n n“TNECD’s ThreeStar Grant Program plays a critical role in helping Tennessee communities plan and prepare for future, and to date, 94 of the state’s 95 counties have benefitted 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.” n nTNECD will again accept applications through December 30 of this year. n nThe grants announced today have been awarded to the following recipients: n nGrantee 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 of n nUnicoi County, Inc. n n$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 n n(TCAT) Oneida* n n$1,000,000 The Paris-Henry County Industrial Committee $53,000 Van Buren County $250,000 Warren County $250,000 Washington County Economic Development n nCouncil, Inc. n n$250,000 Wayne County $10,000 White County $250,000 n n*Denotes grant for/within distressed county n nAbout the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) n nTNECD is the state’s primary agency committed to fostering economic growth through job creation and community development. By attracting new corporate investment and facilitating the growth of existing businesses, the department works to strengthen Tennessee’s competitive landscape. Additionally, TNECD strives to increase the economic prosperity for all Tennesseans by providing grants to communities statewide, helping them to become vibrant, business-friendly environments where companies can flourish. For more information, visit us at tnecd.com. Join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube. n nTNECD Media Contact n nChris O’Brien n nPublic Information Officer n n(615) 934-5879 n n[email protected] n nNote: The header photo represents a completed project in Overton County, which was awarded a ThreeStar grant in a previous round. n n###