U.S. Representative John Tanner and Rural Development Area Director Bobby Goode today joined Dyersburg/Dyer County Chamber of Commerce Director of Downtown Development Steve Guttery to announce a federal grant of $10,000 to expand the Dyer County Leadership Development Program. The announcement took place at the Lannom Center.

"The expansion of this program is important to ensure Dyer County's community and business leaders have the resources they need to best serve our community," Tanner said.

U.S. Rep. John Tanner stands with Dyersburg/Dyer County Chamber of Commerce CEO Allen Hester, Downtown Development Director Steve Guttery, Sen. Bob Corker's Representative Nick Kistenmacher, State Rep. Craig Fitzhugh, chamber and community leaders on Tuesday when the $10,000 grant was announced.

The Rural Development grant and an additional $5,000 provided by the Chamber will enable the class size to be increased and the program to be sustained for another five years. The expanded curriculum will also include an analysis of job creation and expansion in the area to fulfill new requirements of the Tennessee Three-Star certification program that allows Dyersburg and Dyer County to compete for funding from certain state and federal economic and community development programs.

Rural Development's rural business enterprise grant program provides assistance to public or not-for-profit entities to support community economic development programs that assist small businesses in improving local business infrastructure, providing job training, conducting feasibility studies and providing technical assistance to businesses and community leaders.

"The Dyersburg-Dyer County Chamber has done an outstanding job of expanding the prospects of local business and community leaders," said Goode. "Thanks to the support of Congressman Tanner and our congressional delegation, Rural Development has the financial resources to help rural businesses prosper and create good jobs."

Others participating in the events included Sen. Bob Corker's Representative Nick Kistenmacher, Dyer County Mayor Richard Hill, State Representative Craig Fitzhugh, and Rural Development Area Office Staff Van Wylie and Mitzi Hailey.

Applications for the next Dyer County Leadership Development Program are being accepted through Sept. 1. For more information call (731) 285-3433.