Pody Encourages Entrepreneurs To Apply For Grant

NASHVILLE – After learning of a new grant being offered by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD), Representative Mark Pody (R—Lebanon) lauded the department and ECD Commissioner Bill Hagerty for their work attracting companies and spurring job creation in Tennessee.

Recently, it was announced that the ECD is accepting applications for a competitive grant to support nine regional business accelerators across the state. Interested parties are encouraged to file a letter of intent with the department by Sept. 6th at 5 p.m. CST; applications are due Sept. 30th at 5 p.m., CST.

Rep. Pody stated, “This is a solid opportunity for economic leaders in our area to apply for a grant that will lead to the creation of an accelerator – a business and jobs engine – that will ensure private sector opportunities are created at a fast pace.” He continued, “This is a significant part of the Governor’s visionary Job4TN plan and I encourage the innovators in Middle Tennessee to apply for this grant.”

“We are excited to launch our competitive grant process for the Jobs4TN Regional Entrepreneurial Accelerators and see this as the next step in spurring innovation across the state,” Hagerty said. “Our department has just completed a very successful RFI process in preparation for the program and is ready to move forward in establishing an accelerator in each of the nine economic development regions to create a more robust entrepreneurial system in the state.”

The grants will award $250,000 to a regional entrepreneurial accelerator in each economic development region. The Jobs4TN Regional Entrepreneurial Accelerators were announced in June as a part of Governor Bill Haslam’s INCITE plan The INCITE initiative is designed to drive innovation across the state. Tennessee has partnered with Startup America to form Startup Tennessee, which will form a network of the business accelerators across the state and provide mentoring to entrepreneurs.

Applications and additional information is available online now at www.tn.gov/ecd. All questions should be directed to ECD.Innovation@tn.gov.