CROSSVILLE RECEIVES $60K TOURISM GRANT
According to a report by the Crossville Chronicle, the city of Crossville, Tennessee, recently received a $60,000 Tourism Enhancement Grant from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development as part of a competitive program that awarded over $2 million to 30 communities statewide. During a check presentation ceremony attended by Tourism Development Commissioner Mark V. Ezell, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, and other state officials, representatives highlighted Crossville’s successful participation in the state’s branding program and its strong application among roughly 100 submissions.
The grant will fund wayfinding signage in the downtown area to highlight city and county buildings, complementing upcoming improvements such as new traffic lighting and Main Street paving expected in spring 2026. City Manager Valerie Hale noted that these enhancements will further revitalize the downtown. Officials, including Mayor RJ Crawford, emphasized tourism’s significant economic impact, with Commissioner Ezell pointing out that investments in tourism pay for themselves through increased tax revenue—particularly sales tax, which accounted for 63% of state collections in 2024—and praised local efforts while advocating for ongoing state funding similar to past federal relief programs.
