Northeast Tennessee receives wave of ecosystem-building grants totaling $1.2 million
Sync Space Entrepreneur Center has secured three Tennessee Placemakers Entrepreneurship Grants, which will help build out the innovation ecosystem in Northeast Tennessee.
Entrepreneurship continues to play a pivotal role in the economic growth and revitalization of Northeast Tennessee, especially across the Tri-Cities region. With a focus on innovation, inclusion, and resilience, a new wave of state and regional funding totaling more than $1.2 million is injecting fresh energy into the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Five recently awarded grants are helping to expand co-working infrastructure, support underrepresented entrepreneurs, modernize a food incubator, and close the digital skills gap.
Fueling Food Start-ups in Unicoi County
The Mountain Harvest Kitchen (MHK) in Unicoi County received $236,520 through the Tennessee Placemakers Grant. MHK is operated with support from Sync Space Entrepreneur Center, and is a certified commercial kitchen that serves as an incubator for emerging food and consumer product goods (CPG) businesses.
The new funds will help MHK purchase additional equipment, maintain current infrastructure, and offer expanded programming. These enhancements are expected to reduce barriers for small food entrepreneurs, enabling more start-ups to scale without incurring steep overhead costs.
Creating a Coworking Hub in Greeneville
In Greene County, Hackler Hall was awarded $250,000 to expand its existing event space into a dedicated coworking facility. The upcoming space will include eight private offices and six hot desks, creating a hub for remote workers, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals in the region.
The goal is to provide flexible, affordable, and collaborative workspace options for the next generation of business leaders in rural Tennessee.
Hurricane Helene Recovery Initiative
As part of the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund, Sync Space is leading the Helene Workforce Recovery & Resilience Initiative, which received $172,500. The collaborative program—designed in response to economic disruption from Hurricane Helene—offers job training, wraparound support services, and small business assistance for affected individuals.
In partnership with the First Tennessee Development District, Caring Workplaces, and other regional allies, the initiative is focused on long-term workforce resilience and helping local businesses rebuild stronger than before.
Bridging the Digital Divide
A Digital Skills, Education, and Workforce Development Grant totaling $546,711 is fueling the development of a comprehensive online digital skills training program led by Sync Space. With a focus on accessibility, the program is being designed by PhD-level instructional designers and industry experts to serve justice-impacted individuals and others most affected by the digital divide.
The curriculum will span technical training in digital media, career development, and personal growth—equipping participants with tools to thrive in the digital economy.
Supporting Minority Founders in Washington County
Kaifa Events, a Washington County-based organization known for its grassroots entrepreneurship initiatives, will use its $75,000 Placemakers Grant to deepen programming and ecosystem access for SEDI (Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals) and minority communities in Northeast Tennessee.
Over the past year, Kaifa has seen significant increases in engagement from underserved groups, thanks to previous Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funding and participation in the statewide TWENDE initiative. This new grant will help them build on that momentum, and ensure that the region’s growth is inclusive and reflective of its full potential.
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