The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development is now accepting applications from communities around the state for a share of $1 million set aside to help them take charge of their local planning services. (ECD had previously provided those services.) The cash does come with some qualifications, though, and if all affected communities apply, they'll each get a whopping $4,717.

Commissioner Hagerty added that only communities with contracts for local planning services with ECD during the 2010-2011 fiscal year and who received a notice of contract termination from ECD will be eligible to apply for the grants. The applicant community must be willing to match the grant with funding equal to their 2011 Local Planning Assistance service fee for the transition and must guarantee the funds will be used for services from a qualified planning professional.