ThreeStar Grant Program - Certification Required: All Other Counties

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) administers the ThreeStar program to strengthen local planning, foster collaboration, and support long-term community prosperity. The program operates through a county certification process, which is mandatory before counties may participate in quarterly ThreeStar grant opportunities. Counties that have not yet been certified must complete all required documentation and planning steps in order to unlock access to funding. The certification process begins with initial uploads into the SmartSimple system by February 1, 2025, which include an updated county asset inventory, a roster of ThreeStar Taskforce members, and Joint Economic and Community Development Board (JECDB) meeting minutes. Between February and April 2025, counties must either submit an existing strategic plan for approval or conduct a TNECD-facilitated community conversation to establish SMART goals. By June 1, 2025, counties must upload three short-term and three long-term SMART goals with timelines and activity steps, along with all remaining required documentation. These submissions are essential for achieving certification. On July 1, 2025, counties that have completed all requirements receive official Two-Year ThreeStar Certification. Only after this point are they eligible to apply for grant funding through the ThreeStar program. For certified non-distressed counties, funding is capped at $250,000 per project, while nonprofits and community organizations within certified counties are also eligible. All projects must align directly with one of the county’s SMART goals. Quarterly grant deadlines for the current certification cycle are September 30, 2025, December 30, 2025, and March 30, 2026. Applications are submitted through SmartSimple and must include a project narrative, budget narrative, sustainability plan, and evidence of partnerships. Applications are scored on clarity of budget, alignment with community needs, sustainability, measurable outcomes, and the strength of partnerships. Ineligible expenses include salaries, travel, food, prizes, landscaping, and direct business support. Award determinations are made quarterly, with reimbursements provided for eligible costs documented by invoices and proof of payment. Projects exceeding $75,000 must be managed by a qualified grant administrator. Grantees must also participate in pre-application and post-award grant management webinars, and submit periodic progress and final outcome reports. These requirements ensure accountability and measurable community impact. Contacts for support include Sarah Elizabeth Hickman-McLeod for information about active or pending grants, and Brooxie Carlton for general program administration. For counties pursuing certification, the June 1 documentation deadline and July 1 certification award are the critical gateways into the ThreeStar grant cycle, making timely preparation essential for participation in funding opportunities.

Begin early with community conversations; ensure SMART goals meet standards; prepare all JECDB documentation; plan projects to align with goals immediately upon certification