Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matthew Kisber recently announced that Crossville and Cumberland County have achieved certification under the state's Three-Star Program.

"I'm proud to join with Crossville and Cumberland County in celebrating this tremendous achievement," Kisber said. "Consistent economic growth is built around strong community development. Crossville and Cumberland County have demonstrated a well-thought-out plan and a determined initiative in taking on the challenges of the Three-Star Program. The result has been, and will continue to be, distinct progress toward carefully decided economic development goals. By participating in the program, Crossville and Cumberland County are preparing for greater economic success through improved education, leadership and infrastructure."

Cumberland County and the cities of Crossville, Crab Orchard and Pleasant Hill are now eligible to receive additional incentives under the guidelines of the Tennessee Three-Star Program.

The Three-Star Program has a set of standards and incentives like no other state-run program in the nation. Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen's five-year asset-based economic development strategic plan is the cornerstone of the program.

Tennessee's Three-Star Program helps urban and rural communities develop strategic economic and community development plans that meet the needs and challenges of a changing economic environment. It helps communities preserve existing employment, create new employment opportunities, improve family income, and develop a strong leadership base for economic development.

"I want to offer my congratulations to Crossville and Cumberland County for their successful effort to position itself for future growth by taking an honest look at the community's economic goals and how to realistically achieve them," said Assistant Commissioner of Community Development Rick Meredith of Economic and Community Development.

In order to receive the certification, communities are required to meet criteria in organizational, community, business, education and work force development categories. Incentives for receiving the certification include identification 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 Community Development Block Grant program.

Cumberland County has received two ECD grants at $15,000 each to go toward

funding the creation of a business incubator.

“This grant program offers communities an opportunity to improve their quality-of-life, grow jobs and attract new industry,” said Gov. Bredesen. “I applaud the leaders of Cumberland County for taking advantage of the Three-Star Innovation Grant to improve their community.”

The Three-Star Innovation Grant is a competitive, matching grant program that encourages communities to develop new and innovative projects to enhance their overall community. Cumberland County was awarded the medium population category grant and will provide a 25 percent local match.

The business incubator will help facilitate economic opportunities and assist new and existing businesses and organizations throughout the Cumberland Plateau. The incubator will be housed at Roane State Community College in Crossville, and will focus on three areas: agriculture and biofuels; transportation and distribution; and ceramics, materials and medical applications.

Three-Star is a value-added program for Tennessee communities and places emphasis on a number of important community development steps, including strategic planning, identifying educational resources and making routine existing industry visits. Three-Star communities are eligible for several other grant programs including the Small Business Energy Loan Program and the Local Government Energy Efficiency Loan Program.

According to local Three-Star coordinator Sally Ogelsby with the City of Crosville, Crossville and Cumberland County have achieved a level three, the highest level, for the second year. This is the sixth year that Crossville and Cumberland County have been involved in the program.