NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Dennis Powers, R-Jacksboro, announced $1.54 million in grant funding has been awarded to expand digital program opportunities in Claiborne County.
Organizations within the county will receive two separate grants as part of $101.6 million in overall funding administered by Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD). The investments will provide broadband access and digital opportunity programs to more than 97,000 Tennesseans across 75 counties.
“I’m excited to see new opportunities for citizens to expand their digital knowledge in Claiborne County,” Powers said in a statement. “As the digital world continues to grow, it’s important that we continue to provide programming and trainings for our community to stay ahead. I’m grateful for TNECD’s commitment to this initiative and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our area”
Local grant recipients include:
- Persevere, Inc.: $990,640 to advance digital skills and workforce development by serving parts of Claiborne and five other counties through the Digital Skills, Education and Workforce (DSEW) program
- Sync Space Entrepreneur Center: $546,711.20 to advance digital skills and workforce development by serving parts of Claiborne and six other counties through the DSEW program
The DSEW program is one of four grant programs TNECD created to promote broadband opportunity and high-paying digital jobs.
DSEW grant funding will offer the receiving organizations a variety of training and education programs to advance digital skills and workforce development, creating a pipeline for well-paying jobs.
Grantees across all programs are investing approximately $25.1 million in matching funds and will complete their projects by Dec. 31, 2026, according to TNECD.
In total, TNECD has invested $815.6 million to expand the state’s broadband infrastructure and digital opportunity initiatives, connecting more than 700,000 Tennesseans across 280,000 residential and business locations.
Additional information on TNECD’s broadband initiatives can be found here.
State Rep. Dennis Powers represents District 36 which includes Campbell, Union and part of Claiborne Counties.
