Lee announces $168M more in COVID-19 relief

Friday, August 14, 2020, Vol. 44, No. 33

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Friday announced $168 million more in COVID-19 relief for small businesses, agriculture, tourism and workforce development through federal coronavirus relief funding.

The Republican's office said $83.5 million will help expand on the initial $200 million offered through the state to impacted small businesses, including expanding the types of eligible businesses. The businesses seeking the aid must have less than $10 million in annual gross sales. A full list of eligible businesses and instructions on how to receive the assistance will be available from the state Department of Revenue.

Another $50 million will fuel an economic support program to help ensure stability of the food supply chain and agribusiness economy.

A $25 million tourism re-marketing effort will aid the industry's recovery from the pandemic. And $9.5 million will help about 17,000 people through existing programs for reemployment services.