The state will provide a $31,119 Tennessee Roadscapes Grant to the Town of Greeneville, Gov. Phil Bredesen's office has announced.

The Greeneville Roadscapes grant will fund landscaping for the creation of four scenic entryways that lead into Greeneville's Historic District.

The four entryways, according to Debbie Smith, town environmentalist, are located on:

* the Newport Highway (U.S. 321);

* the Baileyton Road (Tenn. Rt. 172);

* the Kingsport Highway (Tenn. Rt. 93); and

* the Asheville Highway (Tenn. Rt. 70).

The project plans include native landscaping and "Welcome to Greeneville" signs.

The total project will cost $39,049, with a local match of $7,780, according to Smith.

Local planning for the Roadscapes Grant began several years ago, and was a joint effort of the Town Of Greeneville, the Greene County Partnership's Tourism Department, and Main Street: Greeneville, said Kathy Knight, of Main Street: Greeneville.

Greeneville Mayor Laraine King said Friday that "The town is certainly pleased to learn of Governor Bredesen's announcement of our receiving one of the 12 Roadscapes Grants awarded through the Tennessee Department of Transportation's Environmental Division.

"We are looking forward to the receipt of the grant funds and being able to proceed with the entryway project.

"The town will be accentuating not only the beauty of our town, but will be demonstrating its pride in our historic presence in the state," Mayor King said.

Tammy Kinser, tourism director for the Greene County Partnership, said, "Signage is instrumental to tourism, and this grant will help make our downtown that much more of a destination."

Jann Mirkov, executive director of Main Street: Greeneville, said, "The addition of these gateway signs, while welcoming our visitors to the area, will work in concert with the newly-erected historic district signage, giving travel continuity to those visiting our community."

The town originally applied in 2006 for funding to cover six entryways, and state approval has been previously given for two of the six entryways -- on East Andrew Johnson Highway and West Andrew Johnson Highway.

Both of those entryways are being developed, Smith said.

State Sen. Steve Southerland, R-1st of Morristown, and state Representatives David Hawk, R-5th, of Greeneville, and Eddie Yokley, D-11th, of Greene County, helped secure the funds.

Former Mayor Darrell Bryan, under whose administration the project began, commented Friday that "This was certainly a joint effort that we were able to receive this grant.

"The purpose was to highlight and help Greeneville become a destination place, because we know how important tourism is to our town.

"Our heritage makes tourism a most important viable industry here, and these signs should significantly help us," Bryan said.

The Tennessee Roadscapes initiative was developed in 2006 as a partnership between community organizations across the state and the Tennessee Department of Transportation to create inviting spaces through an integrated approach to roadside landscaping.

TDOT funds 80 percent of the cost of a project with the grant recipient contributing the remaining 20 percent. Grants are derived from federal funds that are specifically earmarked for roadway enhancement projects.

Other communities across the state that will receive similar grants include: Clarksville, Cleveland, Decaturville, DeKalb County, Dyersburg, Erwin, Goodlettsville, Kingsport, Lake City, Monterey and Mountain City.

"These funds will help make improvements along the roadways that serve as the front door to our communities," said Gov. Bredesen in a news release.

"Well-planned landscaping programs create an inviting atmosphere that can boost local economies and improve the quality of life for citizens."

"The Roadscapes program creates an opportunity to showcase the roadways and natural beauty of our state," said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely in the news release. "

"It's important to create welcoming places for people to live and work and to build a sense of pride in one's community."

For more information about the Tennessee Roadscapes program, visit www.tn.gov/tdot/roadscapes.