NASHVILLE — State Sen. Steve Southerland (R-Morristown) has announced that two Cocke County organizations have been awarded grants through the Tennessee Department of Health’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to support projects aimed at improving health and quality of life in rural communities.

The Cocke County Cradle to Career Coalition received funding for its Youth-Led Development of a Complete Streets Plan for Cocke County project. The initiative will engage local youth in developing a plan to create safer, more accessible opportunities for walking, biking and other forms of active transportation throughout the county.

Veterans in Focus, Inc. also received funding for its Veterans Park and Conference Center project in Cocke County.

“These grants are an investment in the health and well-being of Cocke County and the people who call it home,” said Southerland. “I’m especially pleased to see local organizations bringing forward ideas that reflect the needs of our community. Whether it’s creating safer opportunities for young people to be active or supporting our veterans, these projects can make a meaningful difference for Cocke County families.”

The grants were awarded through the latest round of RHTP funding administered by the Tennessee Department of Health. The program supports innovative projects designed to strengthen health outcomes and the long-term well-being of rural communities across Tennessee.

The projects are part of the program’s Healthy Active Rural Tennessee (HART) priority, which supports efforts to improve health outcomes in rural communities.