Image Credit: John Partipilo
***Note from The Tennessee Conservative: This article posted here for informational purposes only.
By Cassandra Stephenson [Tennessee Lookout -CC BY-NC-ND 4.0] –
Lake County is among 34 communities in Tennessee selected to receive state funding from the latest $9.6 million round of ThreeStar grants released this month, according to the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development.
For Lake County residents, that means a $750,000 infusion into repairs and renovations for the county’s two community centers in Ridgely and Tiptonville, Lake County Mayor Danny Cook told Tennessee Lookout. The Tiptonville Farmer’s Market will also receive some investment.
The newly revamped ThreeStar program supports local workforce training, health and economic development initiatives, according to the department.
Once counties have been ThreeStar certified (94 of the state’s counties have certification), they are eligible for state programs and grant funding toward their community goals. Distressed counties are eligible for up to $1 million in grant funding, and other communities can apply for up to $250,000.
West Tennessee counties received roughly a third of the award money from this round of ThreeStar grants.
Lake County is among Tennessee’s “distressed” counties — a designation signifying that a combination of the county’s unemployment rate, poverty rate and per capita market income ranks among the worst 10% in the United States. In the 2026 fiscal year, Lake County had the highest poverty in the state at 32.3%, according to state metrics.
The roughly 166-square-mile county sits at Tennessee’s northwest corner, separated from Missouri by the Mississippi River with Kentucky to its north. The county’s population stood at just under 7,000 people, according to estimates from the U.S. Census 2023 American Community Survey.
Agriculture is a mainstay of the Lake County economy, as is tourism. The county welcomes more than 600,000 visitors each year to visit natural sites, including Reelfoot Lake State Park and Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge, according to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
Cook describes the community centers as true “civic areas,” open to community members to rent for things like birthday parties, family get-togethers and other gatherings. The Tiptonville Farmer’s Market is based in an old converted building and hosts well-attended markets every other week, Cook said.
The funding for repairs and renovation will “make our towns look a little bit better for people coming in, as well,” Cook said. “We want to have attractive and comfortable surroundings for them.”
The roughly $3 million going to projects in West Tennessee counties focuses on bolstering development in community, infrastructure, broadband, industry, tourism and recreation.
Three projects received the highest award amount, $1 million:
- Grundy County, for education and workforce development
- Hancock County, for downtown development
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Oneida, for education and workforce development.
Applications for the next round will be accepted through December 30.
