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Franklin County Commission authorizes state CDBG Covid grant application to expand childcare access
Summary
The Franklin County Commission on July 18 approved Resolution 7a-0722 to apply for Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development CDBG Covid-19 funding to help expand local childcare capacity to support workforce needs. The measure passed by voice vote.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted July 18 to approve Resolution 7a-0722, authorizing the county to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Covid-19 program award from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to assist local childcare providers.
The measure, moved by Commissioner Scottie L. Riddle and seconded by Commissioner Michelle Earle, passed by voice vote. The resolution directs the mayor to submit an application and, if awarded, authorizes the county to enter grant agreements and contracts necessary to receive and administer the funds.
County officials framed the application as a tool to help address a local workforce bottleneck. The finance packet and committee reports filed with the meeting show the county has been tracking childcare capacity as a constraint for employers and said the CDBG Covid program can finance capital improvements or other eligible supportive services for childcare providers.
Why it matters: local employers in Franklin County have reported difficulty filling positions in recent months. County leaders said helping day‑care and child‑care operators expand or retain capacity could allow more parents to return to work, supporting both the local labor market and the county’s economic development goals.
The resolution sets no county match requirement in the text; it specifies the grant application will be for funds made available by the Tennessee program. The commission’s vote instructs county leadership to negotiate agreements with any qualifying childcare entities selected to receive awards under the county’s grant administration process.
The measure was one of several finance-related items the commission approved on July 18, after receiving the Finance Director’s reports and multiple committee minutes. The item will be followed by grant application materials and any detailed program guidelines that TNECD issues to successful applicants.
