Press Release
August 1, 2023

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $748,849 to Boost Manufacturing Business Growth in Tennessee

Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $748,849 grant to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, to bolster Tennessee’s manufacturing sector.

This grant will develop and implement a manufacturing growth model designed to improve workforce participation across Tennessee. The model will focus on distressed, disaster impacted, and coal impacted communities. This EDA investment will be matched with $187,212 in local funds.

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to provide targeted, place-based grants designed to support local workforce development programs,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will help manufacturers improve their ability to attract and retain talent, creating a pipeline of skilled, qualified workers to compete for good-paying, quality jobs.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the East Tennessee Development District, First Tennessee Development District, Greater Nashville Regional Council, Memphis Area Association of Governments, Northwest Tennessee Development District, South Central Tennessee Development District, Southeast Tennessee Development District, Southwest Tennessee Development District, and the Upper Cumberland Development District. EDA funds these organizations to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.