Kingsport awarded Tennessee America 250 grant
The City of Kingsport has been awarded a $25,000 Tennessee America 250 grant from the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial.
As part of Tennessee’s America 250 celebration, Kingsport will use the grant funds to create commemorative signage, targeted marketing campaigns, a dedicated website, and coordinated social media content to highlight the importance of America’s 250th anniversary.
Kingsport plans to incorporate Tennessee America 250 themes and branding into such events as the Independence Day Parade, the Red, White and Boom fireworks celebration and Kingsport Fun Fest.
“We’re extremely thankful to receive this grant from the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial,” said City Manager Chris McCartt. “This is a once-in-a-generation milestone worthy of celebration. We hope the events we have planned will inspire folks to join in on the celebration.”
Tennessee America 250 is an initiative established to celebrate and commemorate America’s 250th anniversary by interpreting and preserving the unique Tennessee stories, objects, landmarks and places that have defined who we are as Tennesseans and Americans.
The State of Tennessee made more than $6.4 million available to the Tennessee State Museum to administer on behalf of the commission, with the majority of funding to be regranted to Tennessee communities to support statewide America 250 activities.
“I am inspired by the excitement across the state to commemorate our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Ashley Howell, executive director of the Tennessee State Museum and chair of the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. “This year will be filled with exhibitions, programs, festivals and the preservation of our local and state history. We hope these projects inspire Tennesseans across the state to embrace and celebrate our nation’s birthday.”
