Clarksville to launch Financial Empowerment Center

Clarksville’s Neighborhood and Community Services Department has been awarded a $150,000 implementation grant to support the launch of the city’s Financial Empowerment Center (FEC). The grant comes through a partnership with the national Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund). The Clarksville FEC will provide professional one-on-one financial counseling and coaching to help local residents build financial stability and long-term economic resilience as a free public service. Professionally trained counselors will help individuals and families with low and moderate incomes manage their finances, pay down debt, increase savings, establish and build credit, protect assets and prepare for legacy planning, and access safe and affordable mainstream banking products. At the core of the FEC model is the integration of counseling into other social services, such as housing and foreclosure prevention, workforce development, prisoner reentry, benefits access, domestic violence services, and more. This award marks a major investment in the long-term financial stability of Clarksville residents. This initiative is strengthened through local matching support, including funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s HOME-ARP and the city’s allocation of Tennessee Opioid Settlement funding, reinforcing Clarksville’s commitment to addressing both immediate financial hardship and long-term economic resilience. The City anticipates launching services in Fall of 2026 following the hiring and training of certified financial counselors.