Recent Announcements

Crockett County Recertified as Three-Star Community

Crockett County has received its 21st certification for the Tennessee Three-Star program.

The Three-Star program has set high standards and incentives like no other state-run program in the nation. A five-year asset-based economic development strategic plan is the cornerstone of the program, which was submitted and approved by the County Commission on May 17, 2010. Tennessee’s Three-Star program helps urban and rural communities develop strategic economic and community development plans that meet the needs and challenges of an ever-changing economic environment. It helps communities preserve existing employment, create new employment opportunities, improve family income and develop a strong leadership base for economic development.

“All Crockett County citizens are affected by and benefit from our participation in the Three-Star Program.  This year long process is done successfully through the cooperation from our cities and county governments, schools systems, county library, community committees/volunteers, non-profit organizations, and local business/industry,” said Crockett County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Melissa Cox-Rayner.

In order to receive the certification, the Chamber of Commerce submits information showing that Crockett County has met criteria in Planning & Infrastructure, Leadership Development, Community Development, Economic Development, Education and Workforce Development categories. After an extensive annual review is conducted with the Regional Economic Development Specialist, a final report card is given to declare the county’s Three Star certification as Benchmark I, II or III.

Incentives for receiving the certification include identification on all FastTrack infrastructure and job training applications; eligibility for matching grants, if criteria set by ECD are met; and the advantage of earning points in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. City of Alamo Mayor Tommy Green stated, “These grants are very competitive. I have seen communities lose a grant by one or two points. Due to our Three-Star certification, the City of Alamo has been awarded grants and has saved on the city’s matching requirement. I support our involvement with the Three-Star program.

Leaders from Crockett County will attend The Governor’s Conference on Community and Economic Development at the Nashville Convention Center on September 16 and 17, 2010 to accept the Three-Star award. To find out more information about the Three-Star program and the Governor’s Conference, visit www.tn.gov/ecd.