Polk County was given the 2019 ThreeStar award as well as a $35,000 ThreeStar grant during the Governor’s Conference on Economic and Community Development in Nashville, Tennessee, October 25.
The county received this award for meeting goals and guidelines that the governor has set, such as developing an asset-based strategic plan for the county, and the grant is an additional incentive for maintaining their status within the ThreeStar program.
The county plans to use the grant to purchase Snap-On, high-end tool manufacturer, precision measurement certification equipment to help train and certify students, which will allow graduates to demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals associated with working with precision measurement instruments.
In doing so, they hope to better prepare students to meet workforce needs of local and regional industries.
ThreeStar is a governor’s program which helps counties in Tennessee focus on and implement goals and activities to enhance jobs and economic development, fiscal strength and efficient government, public safety, health, education and workforce development.
ThreeStar’s mission is to promote economic and community prosperity through collaboration in hopes to positively impact Tennesseans.
Annual documentation of local activity, evaluation and biennial participation in coordinated local stakeholder goals and activity planning are evaluated to maintain a status in the program.
Additionally, counties who participate in the program are eligible for a four percent discount for certain tasks on “business and community development ability-to-pay calculations” every year the county fulfills ThreeStar’s requirements.