News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Putnam County has been awarded $20,000 through Tennessee’s ThreeStar program.
Yvonne Pickering is the Economic and Community Development Coordinator for The Highlands Economic Partnership. Pickering said of the county’s three goals, the workforce initiative was approved.
“We’re able to use the money towards doing that which is a great help,” Pickering said. “Because a lot of times when you have these goals it takes money and coming up with the funding for a lot of it is extremely hard. So that’s going to go a long way in completing this goal.
Pickering said she will be making calls next week about paperwork submissions and how to get the initiative in place over the next 18 months. Pickering said that the county’s committee also identified broadband expansion and entryway beautification as potential goals.
“We form a committee with all the mayors of all our municipalities, leaders in the area,” Pickering said. “As far as who works at the chamber, The Highlands Economic Partnership, the visitors’ bureau and just other local leaders. That would have some input on what we need to set for our goals in the next two years.”
Pickering said that previously the county has submitted for beautification initiatives and comprehensive marketing. She said the goals get identified then they get narrowed down.
“The grant application you have to choose one of your goals,” Pickering said. “So workforce was the one that we picked and we were awarded it, so we’re super excited about that.”
Pickering said the ThreeStar program involves asset based planning initiatives on a two year timeline.
