Secretary of State Hargett, Sen. Seal, Rep. Faison, & Rep. Farmer Present $218,316 in TOP, Tech, & Construction Grants to Jefferson County Libraries

Secretary of State Tre Hargett, State Sen. Jessie Seal, State Rep. Jeremy Faison, and State Rep. Andrew Farmer today presented Jefferson County libraries with Training Opportunities for the Public (TOP), Technology, and Construction Grants totaling $218,316. 

The Jefferson City Library received $3,140 in TOP and $8,962 in Technology Grant funding totaling $12,102 for improved wireless network capabilities, a firewall router, and new desktop computers.

“The Jefferson City Library is an important community hub, and this grant will ensure more citizens can benefit from its resources,” Sen. Jessie Seal said. “Investments like this help keep libraries strong and accessible to everyone.”

“Supporting our libraries is an investment in continued educational opportunities for our growing community,” Rep. Jeremy Faison and Rep. Andrew Farmer said in a joint statement. “These grants will help our local facilities continue their vital work of developing future leaders for our community and state.”

The Dandridge Memorial Library received $3,860 in TOP Grant and $2,354 in Technology Grant funding totaling $6,214 to help cover the cost of new Wi-Fi hotspot devices that patrons can borrow for use at home, software, and a printer.

Dandridge Memorial Library also received a $200,000 Construction Grant that will help fund a new 9,000 square foot building with room for future expansion. This expansion will help provide the community with a computer lab, community meeting room, dual purpose makerspace and homeschool resource room, local history room, and individual computer booths.

“This significant investment in the Dandridge Memorial Library will expand technology access and improve facilities for local families,” Sen. Jessie Seal said. “I’m proud to see these resources directed toward strengthening such a vital community institution.”

“These funds represent a major investment in our community’s future and will help make our new library a place where families, students, and lifelong learners can gather, grow, and connect,” Rep. Jeremy Faison and Rep. Andrew Farmer said in a joint statement. “Our new library will be a hub of opportunity, providing access to knowledge, technology and resources that strengthen the foundation of our community for generations to come.”

“Libraries in Jefferson County and across our state play important roles in our communities,” Secretary Hargett said. “Thank you to Senator Seal, Representative Faison, and Representative Farmer for supporting Jefferson Countians with improved technology and expanded access to resources through this funding.”

This year, $400,000 in Technology Grant funding was awarded to 88 libraries and $290,451 in TOP Grant funding to 54 libraries across the state. These grants may be used for computers, software, digital literacy instruction, internet access, solar charging stations, hot-spot devices for patrons to use at home, networking cabling, and associated hardware.

Technology Grants are administered by the Tennessee State Library & Archives, a division of the Secretary of State’s Office. These grants are funded through the Library Services Act (LSTA), as administered through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Each grant is a 50/50 matching grant, which means that for every grant dollar received, a matching local dollar is required.

TOP Grants are funded by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and administered by the Secretary of State’s office. Tennessee public libraries can use these funds to address unique needs within their communities.

To learn more about TOP, Technology, and Construction Grants for public libraries administered by the Library & Archives, click here.