IDB receives $975,000 grant
LISA HOBBS
News Editor
The Industrial Development Board of McMinnville-Warren County has received a grant of $975,000 for sewer infrastructure at its Mountain View Industrial Park North Site.
"Having the right infrastructure in place is essential if we want to compete for new jobs and investment,” said IDB Executive Director Wendy Sneed. “This grant is one of the biggest reasons Tennessee has been so successful competing for industry in recent years. This particular funding helps give the Mountain View Industrial Park North Site another competitive advantage when companies are looking for their next location.”
Sneed added that the grant will extend sewer service to the North Site on Progress Blvd.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Deputy Gov. and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced this week the latest recipients of Site Development Grant (SDG) funding.
Ten grants, totaling more than $13 million, are designed to help communities invest in infrastructure and engineering improvements to land economic development projects and achieve Select Tennessee site certification.
“Our administration has made significant investments to strengthen the competitiveness of communities across Tennessee, specifically in our rural areas,” said Gov. Lee. “We appreciate the local leaders who are laying the groundwork for future economic development and positioning their communities to attract new investment and job creation.”
The SDG program is part of the Rural Economic Opportunity Act, which provides funding to improve the economies of Tennessee’s rural communities. Since 2016, TNECD has awarded 220 SDGs across the state, totaling over nearly $150 million in assistance to local communities and generating 8,471 new jobs for through projects that landed on sites improved through the program.
“Access to a shovel-ready site can be the deciding factor in whether a company chooses Tennessee or another state,” said Deputy Gov. and Commissioner McWhorter. “I applaud the communities receiving grants today for their commitment to preparing for future economic growth and investment through TNECD’s Site Development Grant program, and I look forward to seeing the impact these investments will have in their regions.”
Applications were reviewed by an advisory committee made up of TNECD, Austin Consulting, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Each application was supported by the community’s senator and representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly.
“We're grateful to Governor Lee, Commissioner McWhorter, TN ECD, and our legislative delegation for their continued partnership and for recognizing the importance of investing in rural communities before opportunities come knocking,” said Sneed.
A complete list of recipients can be found on the state’s website.