Happy Thanksgiving!

As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for your business and support.

TCSA will be closed from Thursday, November 23, 2023, through Friday, November 24, 2023, so our employees can spend time with their families and celebrate this holiday. We will return to the office on Monday, November 27, 2023, and be ready to continue serving you.

Funding Opportunities, Resources, Events and Learning: Innovation Matters

Funding opportunities, resources, events, and learning are crucial pillars of innovation. Without proper funding, resources, and guidance, it can be challenging for individuals to achieve their goals.

The USDA Rural Development grants support rural businesses and organizations, including Solid Waste Management Grants and Business and Industry Loan Guarantees. Click the link to see all available funding. 

FEMA’s Ready Campaign Celebrates 20^th Year

WASHINGTON -- Over the last few years, FEMA has designed campaigns to meet the needs of specific communities, and this year’s Ready Campaign focuses on older adults, specifically those with limited financial resources, living with disabilities and those living in rural areas.

As part of the campaign’s goal of empowering all people to take steps to become disaster resilient, FEMA and the Ad Council launched new PSAs today, developed specifically for older adults.
In the campaign’s 20^th year, the new “Take Control” PSAs empower older adults and their caregivers to take three simple steps to prepare for an emergency.

Tennessee Higher Education Commission Names Dr. Steven Gentile as Executive Director

Nashville, TN  – The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) appointed Dr. Steven Gentile as the agency’s new executive director.

Dr. Gentile has held numerous roles at THEC, ranging from Assistant Director of Fiscal Policy to the Chief Policy and Strategy Officer. He was most recently appointed Interim Executive Director in September 2023. Before joining THEC, Steven served as the Assistant Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at his alma mater, Davidson College, in North Carolina.

Unemployment in Tennessee Remains Below National Average

NASHVILLE – Tennessee’s statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October 2023 came in more than half a percentage point below the national average, according to new data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).

The state rate was 3.3% in October, 0.6 of a percentage point lower than the seasonally adjusted national unemployment rate of 3.9% for the month. Tennessee’s all-time low unemployment rate is 3.1%, last reached in August 2023.

Tennessee's Unemployment Rate Sets New Record Low in July

Comptroller's Office Releases July 2023 Revenue Reports

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – [On Tuesday, August 15], Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson announced that Tennessee July revenues were $1.65 billion, which is $153.5 million more than the budgeted estimate and $46.3 million more than the state received in July 2022. The growth rate for July was 2.89 percent.

“July total tax revenues exceeded our budgeted estimates and grew at a modest pace compared to this same time last year,” Bryson said. “Monthly gains were led by sales tax receipts reflecting June consumer activity and corporate tax payments. When combined, all other tax revenues declined compared to July 2022.

“Annual revenues for fiscal year 2022-2023 exceeded our original budgeted estimates, but totals fell short of the funding board’s revised estimate from last fall. Although collections..."

Register Now for ACM's Annual Conference

First Group Of Offenders Earn College Degree At Riverbend Maximum Security Institution

[Friday, August 11, 2023] - History was made Tuesday evening as five offenders became the first cohort to earn college degrees at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution (RMSI).  Graduating with their Associate of Science in Business Administration from Nashville State Community College, the group joins over 200 other men and women who have earned a college degree behind the walls of a Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) prison.

Through partnerships with over 10 colleges and universities, TDOC offers degree programs across the state that allow offenders the opportunity to earn associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.

“This is my favorite part of my job,” Rachel Riley-Coe, Assistant Commissioner of Rehabilitative Services, told the graduates. “I believe in the power of education.  With education comes perseverance, with education comes strength, confidence, critical thinking, and dreams of what could be.”

It is the goal of TDOC under Commissioner Frank Strada to have associate and bachelor’s degree programs in every institution...

Reminder for the TCSA Fall 2023 Conference and Trade Show Registration

Tennessee County Services Associations (TCSA) has set the dates and location for the annual Fall 2023 Conference and Trade Show. Mark your calendars and plan to join us in Chattanooga on October 18-20th. Major highlights include adopting the Legislative Platform, Board elections, and county vendor services, as well as good exhibits. 

We are still working on finalizing the agenda for the conference and trade show with various breakout sessions, general session speakers, and other educational opportunities at the conference. We hope to have  the agenda of the various events available for everyone over the coming weeks.

To register for the conference, please click here. We look forward to seeing you at the Fall Annual Conference and Trade Show. 

County Success Story Nominations