State of Tennessee
State Senate
Sen. Reeves and Rep. Tillis announce local recipients of Retail Academy Grants to improve communities’ retail landscape
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: MOLLY GORMLEY
June 6, 2019 615-741-8760
(NASHVILLE) – Today, State Senator Shane Reeves (R-Murfreesboro) and Representative Rick Tillis (R-Lewisburg) announced that the Town of Chapel Hill and the City of Lewisburg will receive Retail Academy Grants from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD). The goal is to provide these cities with the resources and education necessary to enhance their retail landscape and improve their economy as a whole through the Retail Academy program that will take place on July 22, 2019, in Nashville.
“Tennessee ECD is doing a great job to help rural communities spur economic development. The Retail Academy is a great opportunity for these communities to learn best practices to attract new retailers and to provide resources to support existing local businesses,” said Senator Reeves. “This program will help boost the local economies and ultimately increase the overall quality of life for citizens of these communities.”
TNECD offered these grant opportunities to communities across the state with a population of less than 25,000 to help the selected communities increase revenue from retail by providing courses developed by Retail Strategies, a national retail advisory firm. Chapel Hill will receive a grant to complete the Retail Academy 101 course, a $10,000 value, which assists communities in strengthening their overall retail landscape. Lewisburg will receive a grant to complete Retail Academy 201 course, a $5,000 value, which will cater to specific property marketing.
“Tennessee ECD’s Retail Academy Grants provide our rural communities like Chapel Hill and Lewisburg with more resources to recruit new retailers and create jobs,” said Representative Tillis. “I applaud our local leaders on securing this important funding, and I will continue to help attract new businesses, create more jobs, and maintain a strong economy.”
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