U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo has announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to the First Utility District of Hawkins County for water infrastructure improvements needed to support business growth. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by First Tennessee Development District (FTDD). EDA funds the FTDD 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.
This grant will provide the reliable water service capacity needed for a major glass manufacturer, Cardinal Glass, to expand operations while enabling other businesses to locate in a region transitioning from a traditional coal economy. The EDA investment will be matched with $400,000 in local funds and is expected to create 75 jobs and generate $35 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
Since late 2018, the First Tennessee Development District, with the assistance from EDA, has received six grants totaling over $9 Million dollars, for infrastructure upgrades to assist companies expanding or locating in the region. "Today, I am excited to announce another $1.5 million dollars for water infrastructure upgrades in Hawkins County to assist Cardinal Glass," said Bill Forrester. He added that "Cardinal Glass, one of the leading glass manufacturers in the world, is adding $35 Million in investment and 75 high-paying jobs at its Church Hill Plant. Without assistance from EDA, and partners in the region, projects like this would not be possible."
With this new investment and matching funds from all 7 ongoing EDA grants across the region, a total of $25 Million of infrastructure upgrades are slated for Northeast Tennessee. For information related to the Development District's Industrial Development Programs, please click here.
For additional information on this or other FTDD News, please contact Mark Stevans, mstevans@ftdd.org.