Thursday, January 26, 2017
City of Lawrenceburg awarded Tourism Enhancement Grant
Press release
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd recently announced that 29 communities will receive more than $1 million in Tourism Enhancement Grants to assist with tourism infrastructure assets.
“We want to congratulate the 29 communities that will be receiving Tourism Enhancement Grants,” said Governor Haslam. “Tourism is an important part of our state economy and these grants showcase how tourist development and economic development work together to make our state not only a great place to live and work, but a top tourist destination. With the assistance of these grants, each community will be able to grow and enhance their local tourism assets.”
These grants are designed to help counties and cities improve their local assets to increase the economic impact of tourism. This is second round of the Tourism Enhancement Grant program.
“I am happy to announce the 29 communities that have been awarded Tourism Enhancement Grants,” stated Commissioner Boyd. “Tourist development and economic development have a great partnership with a common goal: making sure Tennessee and the communities across the state are able to succeed and grow. With these grants, each participating community has shown that they are investing in economic development and the future growth in our state.”
The City of Lawrenceburg was awarded a Tourism Enhancement Grant in the amount of $45,000. According to the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, the grant will be used to purchase and install a performance-grade sound system, a 4K-projection system, and create an ADA compliant seating area at Lawrenceburg’s Crockett Theatre.
The funds that we have been awarded will be used to improve a historic asset that’s easy to take for granted,” stated the Chamber’s Ryan Egly. “It will enhance the audio and visual experience for audiences and will create a plug-and-play system for artists and acts looking to perform at Lawrenceburg’s Crockett Theatre. This project aims to preserve our community’s history by better utilizing the 1,000+ seat venue and showcasing today’s talent.”
“It is our duty to preserve our historic assets for years to come,” said Mayor Keith Durham. “I want to thank the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce for all of their work and due diligence in submitting this grant. I appreciate all of their efforts to enhance tourism assets in our community.”
The Chamber applied for the grant and worked in conjunction with Lawrenceburg’s Parks & Recreation Department, Warrior Effects, Lawrenceburg Community Theatre and the Crockett Theatre Board to plan the improvements.
The Tourism Enhancement Grants are funded through the Rural Economic Opportunity Act, which is designed to improve the economic indicators in rural communities across Tennessee.
An advisory committee made up of staff from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture selected the 29 communities from a pool of 50 grant applications.
Award announcements will be made this spring for Site Development Grants, Main Street Entrepreneur Grants and Asset-Enhancement Grants for distressed communities.
