Page 12 - Mar-Apr2022 Vol39 No7

WAYNE COUNTY By Susan Robertson
CIS, State Department of Economic

and Community Development

Partner to Benefit Rural Counties

In Wayne County, where nearly (TNECD). Born out of the Governor’s planning approach has now been
69 percent of residents are without Rural Task Force in 2016, the strategic incorporated into the state’s ThreeStar
broadband access, according to the planning process brings together a Program for community economic
state’s 2016 Internet and Connectivity broad base of community stakeholders preparedness and is used as the goal
Utilization Report, they are at a to set economic development goals setting process by all 95 counties. More
disadvantage when it comes to that leverage each community’s unique than 20 elected officials, business and
education and employment. That assets. community leaders attended the first
disadvantage has started to shift, thanks “It has been exciting to see how session in Wayne County.
to an Asset-Based Planning session five communities have identified new The attendees were urged to look
years ago. economic opportunities”, said Beth at the assets they already had and
The Asset Based Planning Initiative Phillips, who leads UT CIS’s economic develop goals. They ultimately crafted
was developed in partnership by the UT development team. “From expanding five SMART (specific, measurable,
Center for Industrial Services (CIS) and tourism to downtown development to attainable, relevant and time-based)
the Tennessee Department of Economic growing new businesses, the projects goals to: strengthen local workforce
and Community Development that have resulted from this planning development programs, develop the site
are bringing new jobs and for an industrial spec building, leverage
investment to rural areas.” natural and cultural assets to increase
All 95 Counties Used the tourism, develop a river port at Clifton
Planning Process and improve high speed internet access
to more households in the county.
Beginning with the state’s
Following formation of the goals,
most distressed counties, Tennessee ECD made $50,000 Asset
the facilitated asset-based
Enhancement Grants (AEG) available to

Wayne County Mayor Jim Mangubat Wayne County Courthouse
12 TPW March/April 2022