From Mayor Hutto:

I’m exciting to announce that the Workforce Board and their fiscal agent, Workforce Essentials received a $896,000 grant from the TN Community CARES program as part of the Governor’s $150 million initiative for non-Profits under the federal CARES Act. The two part grant will:

1.) Assist small businesses in rural counties, expanding to larger counties if funding is available.

2.) Provide free technology to individuals to assist with virtual training with a priority on hi-set (GED) students in all 13 counties

More information:

Small Business Grants – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (AJ Geary and Freda Herndon are POC)

• Priority rural counties to be served are Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Robertson, Stewart, and Trousdale. (Expand to larger counties in two weeks if funding is available.)

• 50 or fewer employees.

• Online application for the employer to complete located at: undefined (undefined)

• Up to $10,000 can be awarded for employer expenses such as layoff aversion, workforce training or reimbursement of PPE due to COVID from April 1, 2020 to November 1, 2020.

• Employers must submit for reimbursement with all required documentation before November 6, 2020.

Individual Technology Equipment – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Allen Senseney and Natalie McLimore are POC)

• 750 devices- a combination of laptops and tablets with keyboards have been ordered.

• Must be a resident of one of the 13 Northern Middle counties.

• Adult Education students will receive priority of service, then first come first serve.

• The recommending agency representative will complete the application with the customer and ensure all requirements are met as listed on the application.

• Applications cannot come from the customer but from a local education or workforce agency representative.

• Devices will be issued to Adult education students, Unemployed, Underemployed, who are in need of a device to attend online training or education or upskilling course to enhance employment.

• Devices will be distributed from the AJC once received and appointments made with awardees for pickup.