(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) – State Representative Matthew Hill (R-Jonesborough) and State Representative Micah Van Huss (R-Johnson City) today announced that Washington County has been awarded a $27,500 ThreeStar Grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD).
ThreeStar programs focus on best practices in five key community areas including jobs and economic development, fiscal strength and efficient government, public safety, health, education and workforce development.
“This announcement is great news for Washington County because it will provide more opportunities for our residents,” said Representative Hill. “Congratulations to our local leaders for their efforts securing this funding. It was an honor to help support them, and I will continue to fight to address the important needs of our community in the days, weeks, and months ahead.”
“I appreciate our Department of Economic and Community Development’s strong investment and continued commitment to our community,” said Representative Van Huss. “This important funding will help strengthen our local economy and create new opportunities for more our citizens, and I am pleased Washington County was selected to receive this award through an extremely competitive application process.”
Certification in the ThreeStar program is based on annual documentation of local activity, evaluation and biennial participation in coordinated local stakeholder goal and activity planning. Participating counties, and cities in these counties, will be eligible for a four percent discount for eligible projects on both the business development and community development ability-to-pay calculations (Community Development Block Grants CDBG and FastTrack) each year the county fulfills the requirements of the ThreeStar program. CDBG also provides a bonus based on ThreeStar participation up to $25,000. Washington County and other selected counties will participate in the TNECD Governor’s Convention on October 25 where they will be recognized.