Governor Phil Bredesen joined Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matthew Kisber in certifying 90 Three-Star Communities and 22 Tennessee Main Street programs at a recent recognition ceremony in Nashville. Polk County was among those receiving the annual Three-Star status.

"Congratulations to each of these outstanding communities for their achievement," Governor Bredesen said. “They have demonstrated through their participation in our Main Street and Three-Star Community programs that they are serious about achieving results through strategic planning and realistic goal-setting. These elements are essential for a community’s improvement and development, and the significant time and effort invested will produce tangible results for these communities.”

“The certification that each of these counties has received represents tremendous hard work, and I am proud to offer my congratulations,” Kisber said. “Strong community development is the basis for sustainable economic growth, and these communities have demonstrated their commitment to improvement by accepting and meeting the challenging requirements of these programs. This dedication has yielded progress, and these communities are more prepared than ever for long term success in the economic, and every other, arena.”

Governor Bredesen’s five-year asset-based economic development strategic plan is the cornerstone of the Tennessee Three-Star and Main Street programs. Tennessee’s Three-Star program helps urban and rural communities develop strategic economic and community development plans that meet the needs and challenges of an ever-changing economic environment. Both programs help communities preserve existing employment, create new employment opportunities, improve family income and develop a strong leadership base for economic development.

Communities seeking certification as a Three-Star community must reach a variety of benchmarks in organizational, community, business, education and work force development categories. To learn more about both programs and to download photos of each community at the recognition ceremony, visit ECD’s Web site at www.tnecd.gov.