NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, today announced that more than $2 million in grant funding has been awarded to expand access to high-quality digital opportunities in Cheatham and Dickson counties.
The counties will receive three separate grants as part of $101.6 million in overall funding administered by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD). This investment will provide broadband access and digital opportunity programs to more than 97,000 Tennesseans across 75 counties.
“This is a significant investment in our community that will have a meaningful impact on many residents,” Littleton said. “Access to quality digital skills training and education can open new career opportunities, and I thank the grant recipients for their excellent work.”
Local recipients include:
- LocalTek Foundation: $751,391 to advance digital skills and workforce development by serving parts of Cheatham and 12 other counties through the Digital Skills, Education and Workforce (DSEW) program.
- Autism Possible: $293,724to advance digital skills and workforce development by serving parts of Cheatham and 13 other counties through the DSEW program.
- Persevere, Inc: $990,640 to advance digital skills and workforce development by serving parts of Dickson and five other counties through the DSEW program.
The Digital Skills, Education and Workforce Development grants support a variety of training and education programs to advance digital skills and workforce development, creating a pipeline for well-paying digital jobs.
TNECD’s most recent broadband infrastructure grants, totaling $34.5 million, will provide access to more than 5,241 locations in six counties. The $67.1 million in digital opportunity grants will benefit more than 3 million Tennesseans across 66 counties.
All grant recipients must complete their projects by Dec. 31, 2026.
Additional information about Tennessee’s broadband initiatives can be found here.
State Rep. Mary Littleton represents House District 78, which includes Cheatham and part of Dickson counties.
