Tag Archives: UCDD

The UCDD has put together a micro-loan fund to try and help small businesses get started and off the ground. UCDD Executive Director Mark Farley said this fund has helped 11 businesses grow with the micro-loan program. Farley said there are now more investment firms looking to put money into the community through loans that can be hard to obtain. ... Read More »

Cookeville’s Small Business Development Center said now is the time for small businesses looking to set up online sales. Director Tyler Asher said the center still has CARES Act money available and web designers on contract to help set up online retail for free. Asher said taking advantage of this opportunity can help avoid headaches with trying to setup online ... Read More »

The UCDD received the largest amount of money in the state for its revolving loan program to help local businesses. Director of Economic Development Megan Choate said they received over $5 million dollars thanks to additional CARES Act money through the Economic Development Administration. Choate said the UCDD got nearly five times more money allocated than the next highest recipient. ... Read More »

Custom Tool in Cookeville is planning to expand it’s operations after being approved for a $1.1 Million loan by UCDD. Custom Tool President Gillen Young said adding more equipment is the first step in ramping up the company to be ready when the economy recovers. “This opportunity to grow is helping us to drive the capital that we need,” Young ... Read More »

Cookeville’s population is growing but that growth brings people being affected by substance abuse. UCDD Executive Director Mark Farley said there is a lack of housing for people trying to transition out of recovery programs and into the work force. Farley said the pandemic makes this issue worse as places like the rescue mission become maxed out. “What we’ve got ... Read More »

The Friends of Virgin Falls are raising money to purchase two tracts of land north of Sparta’s Dog Cove. Friends of Virgin Falls President Steve Webster said the total amount needed is $300,000 but said the goal is getting enough money to show larger grant agencies there’s interest in preserving the land. Webster said if fundraising is a success the ... Read More »

The first step toward improved Putnam County fire protection took place in the form of reviewing a potential grant application. The 2021 Community Development Block Grant was discussed Monday by UCDD members and Mayor Randy Porter. Community Development Planner Allison Fox said the Cookeville Boat Dock Utility District will benefit from better fire protection. “That fire project would basically add ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Development District has created a new COVID Response Coordinator position to facilitate recovery efforts for local municipalities and businesses. Kim England will serve as coordinator and give COVID updates, Executive Order updates and any new information useful to city and county mayors. England said with protocols often changing, Upper Cumberland leaders need a resource for reliable information ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Development District and Area Agency on Aging and Disability are creating a series of videos to help people caring for their loved ones. Family Caregiver Coordinator Clare Farless said the Caring Corner videos stem from the challenges of getting caregivers together for support groups during the pandemic. Farless said she hopes the videos will be the extra ... Read More »

The UCDD will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant. Executive Director Mark Farley said a portion of the funds will be used to provide technical assistance to communities across the Upper Cumberland. “A lot of our communities rely heavily on tourism, and we’re going to work on bringing some technical expertise about social media, marketing of the ... Read More »