Ann Banks, Director

Address:
111 N. Washington Avenue
Brownsville, TN 38012

Phone:
731-772-6484
731-772-1212 ext. 105

Email: aobanks@newwavecomm.net

The Mission of the City of Brownsville Office of Community Development is to bring needs and resources together in a coordinated community development strategy to create, maintain, and expand decent affordable housing, suitable living environment, economic opportunities for low and moderate income persons and small businesses, create, maintain and expand industrial and retail jobs in the city.

From June 1996, to October 2006, the City of Brownsville has been the direct recipient of 62 grant projects totaling $21,502,365 in grant dollars, $2,475,000 in low interest loans for business expansion and or business retainage, leveraged with in-kind, local and company dollars amounting to $8,010,045, grant projects totaling $31,986,535.

Brownsville Economic Development Corporation

What is BEDC?
The City of Brownsville Office of Community Development administers a Revolving Loan Fund derived from Urban Development Action Grants (UDAG) loaned to local industry by the federal government and repayable to the city. This program is known to be the only one of its kind in the State of Tennessee.

Program Guidelines/Criteria:

• Must be a manufacturing industry
• Retail business with a minimum employment of 50
• Maximum loan amount is $250,000
• Terms 10 years at five percent (5%) interest rate below NY Prime, minimum interest rate of 2-1/2 percent
• Must create one (1) job for every $7,500 loaned.

Eligible Use of Funds:

• Acquisition of land and/or building
• Construction, expansion, renovation, and modernization of facilities
• Machinery and equipment
• Professional fees for service (Architects, accounts, appraisers, etc.) not to exceed 20% of the total project.

Ineligible Use of Funds:

• Working Capital
• Debt Consolidation
• Refinancing
• Personal Expenses

Downtown Revitalization Project

What is the Downtown Revitalization Project?
In 1998, the city set aside $250,000 from the BEDC fund to establish the downtown revitalization project for the purpose of revitalizing the front facades of the business square buildings. Business square owners were granted the opportunity to acquire a $7,500 for the renovation of the front façade, and exposed side. To date, 37 businesses have been renovated.

Brownsville-Haywood County Community Action Organization, Inc. Affordable Housing Program

What is the BHCCAO?
BHCCAO, Inc., a 501-c-3 organization, was a recipient of a $500,000 grant to provide construction financing and down payment and closing cost assistance for low and moderate-income homebuyers. Applicants must meet the Federal income guidelines and be able to obtain permanent mortgage financing. The permanent financing (less down payment and closing cost) is used to purchase the home from BHCCAO creating a revolving grant program. To date, 15 homes for the low and moderate have been constructed. The City of Brownsville Office of Community Development administers this project.