ETDD in the month of April successfully submitted Community Development Block Grants that ranged from wastewater improvements in Madisonville, a community center in New Market, an all-inclusive park in Caryville, and fire trucks in Hamblen and Roane Counties. A total funding amount of $2,339,270 in federal funds were requested.

Serenity House, 421 High Street in Morristown, will hold a ribbon cutting and open house at 4 p.m. Monday, May 8 to celebrate the completion of its expansion, built in memory of lifetime community supporter, Judy McGuffin. Hosted by Friends of Hospice and the Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce.

The next round of applications for USDA REAP grants up to 50% of solar projects is: June 30, 2023 This grant offering through the USDA is in addition to the federal 30% Investment Tax Credit for solar that is already offered for business owners. For more information, call 865-386-7860.

New technologies – particularly in the fields of AI and biotechnolgies are being developed and proliferating faster than companies and governments are able to shape norms governing their use, protect against privacy challenges associated with them and prevent dangerous outcomes that they can trigger, said Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines in early April at the annual “Worldwide Threats” hearing in Congress, according to The Washington Post’s The Daily 202 newsletter.

Morristown Housing Authority will host a ribbon cutting at its offices, 600 Sulphur Springs Rd., to celebrate rebranding as Tennessee Valley Housing Services. The new brand will better reflect the organization’s services to multiple counties. The ribbon cutting will be hosted by the Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce.

Tennessee was ranked as the No. 3 Best State for Business (behind No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Florida) by the “Chief Executive” survey. The survey is based upon factors such as business-friendly policies, growing cities and a rise in professional class, as reported in the TNECD Weekly Recap.

–