Tennessee FastTrack Job Training Assistance Program (FJTAP)
Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD)
Discretionary; tied to job count
TN discretionary training grants for new job creation
Tennessee's FastTrack Job Training Assistance Program provides discretionary cash grants directly to new or expanding companies to support training net new full-time employees. Grants are disbursed for eligible positions created and retained in accordance with program guidelines and an Accountability Agreement. Amounts are based on number of new jobs, average wages, skills required, location, and capital investment — TNECD has full discretion to approve, deny, or set amounts.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount
- Discretionary grant amounts set by TNECD per project. Amounts vary based on: number of net new full-time jobs, average starting wages vs. county median, skills and knowledge requirements, location (standard vs. Appalachian/distressed county), and capital investment. Projects in Tier 3 or Tier 4 (distressed) counties may receive 35–50% bonus incentives on top of base amounts.
- Realistic amount
- Companies creating 25–100 jobs at above-county-median wages typically receive $50,000–$500,000 in training grant funds d…
- Deadline
- Rolling — TNECD accepts applications on a continuous basis. Grant contract must be in place before training costs are incurred.
- Status
- active
- States
- TN
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- New or expanding Tennessee company
- Must create net new full-time positions (averaging 37.5+ hours weekly, 12-month retention, with health coverage offered)
- Training must be for employees not yet hired — FJTAP cannot reimburse positions already filled at time of contract
- Project is evaluated on: number of new full-time jobs, weighted average wages, capital investment, skill requirements, and location
- Projects in Appalachian or high-unemployment counties may qualify for 35–50% bonus incentives
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
- Location restriction: Tennessee
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Instructor and trainer fees for new employee training
- Training materials and curriculum development
- Equipment used exclusively for training purposes
- Trainee wages during the training period (in some cases)
- Third-party training vendor costs
Ineligible expenses
- Training costs for positions filled before the Accountability Agreement is signed
- Administrative overhead and general business expenses
- Equipment purchased for production (not exclusively training)
How to apply
-
1
Engage TNECD before hiring
Contact TNECD during site selection or expansion planning. TNECD cannot reimburse positions filled before the contract is executed — early engagement is mandatory.
~3 hrs
-
2
Submit application with project details
Provide TNECD with: projected new job count, anticipated average wages, capital investment plan, training skills required, Tennessee location, and timeline. TNECD evaluates and determines grant eligibility and potential amount.
~8 hrs
-
3
Execute Accountability Agreement
If approved, TNECD executes an Accountability Agreement with the company and, where applicable, the local community. The agreement specifies job thresholds, wage floors, training eligible expenses, and disbursement schedule.
~4 hrs
-
4
Train new employees and submit reimbursement claims
Hire and train qualifying new employees per the agreement. Submit training cost documentation to TNECD. Reimbursements are issued as jobs are created and retained in accordance with program guidelines.
~8 hrs
The 'net new full-time job' standard is strict: 37.5+ hours/week, 12-month retention, health coverage offered. Part-time or contractor positions don't count. Document everything — TNECD audits compliance against the Accountability Agreement.
Deadline & timing
FJTAP cannot reimburse training costs for positions filled before the grant contract is executed. Engage TNECD during site selection or expansion planning — not after hiring begins. Grant is discretionary; TNECD reserves the right to approve or deny based on project merits.
Programs that stack well
- Launch Tennessee SBIR/STTR Matching Fund
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Related programs
Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.