Macon County Awarded Site Development Grant
Feb 6 2019

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced today 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.”

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.

Macon County:
Lafayette/Macon County Industrial Park Site for the Development of a Master Plan