UCDD secured an additional $200,000 in state funding following the most recent budget cycle to expand regional programs and services.
Executive Director Mark Farley said the organization worked closely with the governor’s office and the General Assembly to increase appropriations for the Upper Cumberland. Farley said the new money is a direct appropriation that can be used across various fields rather than being restricted to a specific grant.
“We’ll be using that to match additional grant programs that we would bring to the region or to expand services to tackle some, some particular issues that are going on here in the Upper Cumberland,” Farley said.
Farley said the district had to demonstrate to state officials that its regional work provides a benefit to Tennessee as a whole. Farley said the organization successfully argued that its services bring value to both the local area and the state’s network of development districts. Farley has been advocating for increased state funding for years.
“It’s a pat on the back,” Farley said. “I mean our appropriations hadn’t been raised in a number of years and with inflation the amount of money that we receive from the state just didn’t go as far as it used to.”
Farley said the funding helps the district remain competitive in the current job market by allowing the agency to retain staff through better pay. Farley said the extra resources also provide the flexibility to launch new initiatives that were previously unfunded.
“One initiative we’re very excited about is our Bright Star initiative,” Farley said. “And that’s looking, that’s trying to be proactive and look at the needs of our, our youngest learners, the birth to five to seven year old group, to make sure they’ve got the resources in place to be successful.”
Farley said the district is collaborating with Tennessee Tech and other allies to introduce new programs for young learners. Farley said the state funding allows him to dedicate specific staff time toward growing those regional efforts.
“It’s a huge momentum,” Farley said. “Anytime you get additional funding you’re able to go out and start some new work.”
Farley said there are nine development districts across the state that administer programs on behalf of state agencies. Farley said this model allows the state to deliver services more efficiently and at a lower cost by spreading expenses across multiple counties.
“We work under the direction of the mayors, so we deal with the problems that our mayors in the Upper Cumberland have,” Farley said. “So it allows us to be more individualized.”
Farley said the future of the district’s work will be shaped by a new group of county mayors expected to take office on Sept. 1. Farley said the agency must continue to produce results to ensure the increased funding remains in place for the 14 counties it serves.
“When you’ve got passionate employees who care about the place where they live, you can’t help but be successful,” Farley said.
Farley said the district will respond to the specific needs and problems identified by the incoming board members.