Tennessee s rural communities are the heart of our state in so many ways, whether it s our main streets, longstanding companies or as world-class tourist attractions, and we want to continue helping them thrive and grow. - Governor Haslam 2
https://youtu.be/kcgtyl4bl08
Convened 18 different statewide governmental and nongovernmental agencies Developed the mission, charge, LTO, and definition of rural Mapped existing programs and initiatives
Mission: To build a stronger rural Tennessee by driving local, state and federal partnerships and stakeholders to continuously improve education, health, entrepreneurial opportunities, economic and workforce development, and digital infrastructure. Charge: Our engagement will align public and private resources and offer new strategic initiatives to create transformative, holistic solutions in asset-based economic activities across rural Tennessee. LTO: Implement statewide policies and programs that improve the economy in all rural communities so that fewer counties are at risk and zero counties are distressed.
42 presenters over 4 months Including county and city mayors, economic development practitioners, educators, students, non-profit directors and staff, business owners, and community groups
120 Participants from all areas of the state
Education and Workforce Facilitator: Sterling van der Spuy RTF Representative: Jayme Place Stakeholder Representative: Mayor Robby Moore Business, Retail, and Site Development Facilitator: Brooxie Carlton RTF Representative: Toks Omishakin Stakeholder Representative: Mayor Denny Johnson Community and Leadership Development Facilitator: Beth Jones RTF Representative: Amy New Co-Stakeholder Representative: Mayor Jill Holland Co-Stakeholder Representative: Mayor Bill Rawls Health Facilitator: Dr. Tim Cross RTF Representative: Liesa Jenkins Stakeholder Representative: Kathy Woods- Dobbins Tourism and Conservation Facilitator: Dr. Shari Meghreblian RTF Representative: Melanie Beauchamp Stakeholder Representative: Dennis Tumlin Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, and Small Business Facilitator: Wisty Pender RTF Representative: Jai Templeton Co-Stakeholder Representative: Mayor E.L. Morton Co-Stakeholder Representative: Mayor Larry Potter
Governor s Office: Will Cromer, Special Assistant for Strategy and Policy Director Tennessee General Assembly: Dolores Gresham, State Senator, Somerville Tennessee General Assembly: Ryan Williams, State Representative, Cookeville Dept. of Agriculture: Commissioner Jai Templeton (Co-Chair) Dept. of Tourist Development: Commissioner Kevin Triplett (Co-Chair) Dept. of Economic & Community Development: Commissioner Randy Boyd (Co-Chair) Dept. of Economic & Community Development: Amy New, Assistant Commissioner, Rural Development Dept. of Transportation: Toks Omishakin, Deputy Commissioner Dept. of Environment & Conservation: Dr. Shari Meghreblian, Deputy Commissioner Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development: Commissioner Burns Phillips Dept. of Education: Jayme Place, Chief of Staff Dept. of Health: Commissioner John Dreyzehner Dept. of Financial Institutions: Commissioner Greg Gonzales USDA Rural Development: Bobby Goode, State Director TVA: John Bradley, Senior Vice President of Economic Development Dept. of Economic & Community Development: Brooxie Carlton, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Rural Development University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service: Dr. Herb Byrd III, Interim Vice President Tennessee Farm Bureau: Jeff Aiken, President University of Tennessee Extension: Dean Tim Cross Tennessee Development District Association: Beth Jones, Treasurer/Secretary Dept. of Human Resources: Dr. Trish Holliday, Assistant Commissioner and Chief Learning Officer (Facilitator)
Continued collaboration among RTF agencies Implementation of Action Steps that do not require additional funding Ongoing work with the Governor s Office to prioritize and identify sources of funding
Rural Resource Guide and Toolkit one-stop shop online resource guide JECDB Board Updates better alignment of Joint Economic and Community Development boards with community leadership Retail Academy educate and equip communities with tools to strengthen their retail base Asset-Based Planning - support communities in identification of goals to maximize local assets and provide resources to implement identified action steps
While not every initiative can be funded initially, the committees have created an inventory of ideas. RTF members will continue to work to fund and implement these ideas. These ideas can spark regional and local initiatives.
ThreeStar Leadership Academy economic and community development training for local elected officials Rural Education Network connect rural educators to best practices, professional learning opportunities, and other resources Rural Teacher Initiative grow, recruit, and retain teachers in rural communities Work-Based Learning support development of work-based learning opportunities for students
Mobile Integrated Healthcare expand community based services through paramedicine and telehealth Incentives for Healthcare Professionals increase resources to recruit healthcare professionals (especially dentists and behavioral health professionals) in targeted communities Oral Health Pilot integration of oral health services in a primary care setting to provide comprehensive preventive and primary health care services
Rural Small Business Education and Technical Assistance connect rural communities with resources (e.g. mobile innovation labs) Access to Capital for Agricultural and Rural Businesses fill gaps in the funding continuum available to agricultural and rural entrepreneurs AgEnterprise Adjustment Fund support for the creation and growth of agriculture-related businesses
AgLaunch expand AgLaunch as a statewide agricultural innovation plan Rural Technology Hubs create rural technology hubs to increase available technology workers Reduce Recidivism share best practices and support initiatives that work to rehabilitate individuals in the criminal justice system
Rural Destination Districts/ROAR program to assist rural communities in and expanding and marketing tourism assets Expanding Funding for Site Development provide additional financial resource to communities to increase the number and marketability of sites available for industry expansion and recruitment Asset-Based Planning - support communities in identification of goals to maximize local assets and provide resources to implement identified action steps
Retail Academy educate and equip communities with tools to strengthen their retail base Tennessee Made branding program to instill a sense of quality, culture, and recognition Access to Healthy Foods increase promotion, production, distribution, and consumption of healthy foods Access to Healthy Places increase opportunities for rural residents to engage in physical activity and active transportation
Site Development Entrepreneurship Community Development Property Evaluation Program Certified Sites Site Development Grant Business Enterprise Resource Office Launch TN Rural Accelerators Main Street Entrepreneurship Grants AgLaunch Governor s ThreeStar Program Tennessee Main Street Tennessee Downtowns Tourism Enhancement Grant Community Development Block Grants Delta Regional Authority Grants Appalachian Regional Commission Grants Broadband Initiative Governor's Rural Task Force 22
1. Add 4th Tier 2. Job Tax Credit restructure by Tier Enhancement designation - Tier 4: 10 jobs over 5 years - Tier 3: 20 jobs over 5 years - Tier 2 & 1: 25 jobs over 3 years 3. Establish PREP Fund (propelling rural economic progress fund) of $10,000,000. 23