Anne Banks, Brownsville’s Director of Economic and Community Development, accepts the 3-Star designation on behalf of Brownsville and Haywood County at the recent awards ceremony in Nashville. Pictured with Banks is ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber, Gov. Phil Bredesen and ECD Assistant Commissioner Rick Meredith.

Haywood County Awarded Level 3 Three-Star Designation

Governor Phil Bredesen and Tennessee Economic and Community Development (ECD) Commissioner Matthew Kisber recently recognized certified Three-Star communities at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville.

Representatives from Three-Star communities across Tennessee attended the event that recognizes communities for taking the necessary steps toward economic preparedness. Brownsville and Haywood County was awarded Level 3 designation — the highest level available. The new designation means more grant money for the city and county and also increases our visibility to prospective industries looking for sites in Tennessee.

“Our Three-Star leaders understand the importance of doing what is needed to make our communities and our state better,” said Gov. Bredesen.

The Three-Star Program helps communities take full advantage of economic development opportunities. Its goals are to preserve existing employment, create new employment opportunities, increase Tennessee family income, improve quality of life and create a strong leadership base.

“The commitment of our Three-Star communities is helping Tennessee to grow and prosper,” said Commissioner Kisber. “The Three-Star program has seen many changes in recent years, from revamping the entire program to implementing new requirements. ECD remains committed to our community partners to create economic growth and prosperity for our state.”

Tennessee’s Three-Star program has been recognized as a “best practices model” and Southern leader in community certification programs by the Southern Growth Policies Board, a bipartisan public policy think tank devoted to strengthening the South’s economy. There are currently 87 certified Three-Star communities in the state representing 329 Tennessee towns and cities.

To receive Three-Star certification, communities must meet a number of criteria in the organizational, community, business, education and work force development categories. Incentives for receiving the certification include credit on all FastTrack infrastructure and job training applications; eligibility for matching grants, if criteria set by ECD are met; and the advantage of earning points in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) process.