A large amount of funds could soon be available to communities throughout the State of Tennessee in about 5-months. Gov. Bill Lee recently highlighted the "Local Government Recovery and Rebuilding Direct Appropriation Grant" allocations, which are a part of his Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget proposal.
Funds will be available after August 1, 2021.
The grants are one-time funding and are to be used exclusively for one-time expenses as opposed to annually recurring expenses. Funds may not be used to support recurring expenditures such as salaries, debt issuance or existing programs and/or services. Use of funds for new building construction is not allowed, outside of permitted spending categories.
Funds can be used on multiple projects.
Funding is based on population as published by the US Census Bureau (as of July 1, 2019).
- Murfreesboro has a population of 146,900, according to the Governor's office. With the population size, it means that Murfreesboro will be allocated $3,244,415.
- Smyrna, with a population of 51,586 residents, will be allocated $1,158,787.
- The Town of LaVergne currently has a population of 35,716 residents, which equals $811,525.
- Eagleville has been allocated $46,696, as their population count stands at 763 residents.
- Rutherford County's population count at 332,285 residents, will equal an allocation of $3,054,476.
- Nashville, with a population of 670,820 residents, will receive close to $15-million.
Other Communities Near Rutherford County:
- Woodbury: $93,216
- Manchester: $271,530
- Lebanon: $828,221
- Brentwood: $966,163
- Auburntown: $35,821
- Shelbyville: $513,606
- Smithville: $136,914
All counties and cities or municipalities will receive a base allocation of $500,000 and $30,000, respectively, then the remainder of funds in each group will be reallocated to all jurisdictions based on population.
The three metro governments (Davidson, Moore and Trousdale counties) will receive one allocation, whichever is largest.
The lesser allocation of funds for the metros will be aggregated and added to the allocation of the distressed counties.
Permitted Spending Categories
1) IT hardware upgrades
Information Technology upgrades would include new or replacement of IT equipment with a one-time expenditure for items such as hardware. Public Safety Systems may also be included.
2) Capital maintenance
Projects should focus on maintaining current facilities, primarily through repair and renovation of roofing, mechanical and electrical systems. Projects would include items that appreciably extend the life of the facility, such as alterations to rectify code deficiencies; modifications for health and safety issues; repairs to improve utility systems; repaving, roof repairs; exterior fencing and lighting and repair. The maintenance and renovation of recreational facilities (ballfields, parks, greenways, recreation centers) would not be an allowable use. Application for these projects should be directed to the Local Park Grant Program at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
3) Utility system upgrades
Utility System upgrades would include maintenance and upgrades to existing water and sewer infrastructure.
4) Road projects
Road Projects would include road and bridge maintenance, renovation and replacement projects along with traffic control initiatives. Priority should be given to existing roads and bridges.
5) Public safety
Public Safety items would include ADA-type projects (not planning) as well as equipment purchases for law enforcement, fire and emergency response and school buses.
6) New school construction or existing school renovation
- See the allocations for ALL TN Counties HERE
- See the allocations for ALL TN Cities / Towns HERE
