Economic and Community Development The Economic and Community Development team collaborates with local elected leaders, area chambers of commerce, local and state economic development officials, and state and federal agencies to prioritize and invest in initiatives that increase economic prosperity and improve quality of life throughout the region.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Deployment of American Rescue Plan Act Funds Over the last year, GNRC has supported its members through grant writing and administration related to programs funded by the America Rescue Plan Act. The scope of grant opportunities and support needed by local communities was at an all-time high in 2024, leading to the team managing an unprecedented 44 grants providing funds for water and sewer infrastructure, broadband expansion, and workforce and digital literacy skills training, among other investments.
Long-Term Disater Recovery GNRC was awarded a $392,000 grant from the U.S. EDA to launch a new regional Long-Term Disaster Recovery program to provide grant writing and planning assistance to help Middle Tennessee communities faced with rebuilding in the wake of recent disasters. In addition, the grant will fund planning, research, and outreach activities to help develop resources for communities to increase their preparedness for and resilience against extreme weather events and the possibility of future natural disasters. Lending for Job Creation GNRC was awarded $2.15 million from the U.S. EDA to recapitalize is revolving loan fund program. Originally established in the 1980s, this fund supports job creation and retention across Middle Tennessee by providing low-cost gap financing to private and public entities dedicated to the implementation of the region’s economic development goals.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY In 2025, GNRC will begin working with local economic development professionals to update the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Required by federal law, the CEDS aligns Middle Tennessee’s public policies and infrastructure investments with local and state economic development goals and guides federal funding into job-inducing projects across the area.
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