Grants & Loans
Environment and Conservation offers a variety of financial assistance to help individuals, organizations and communities understand and comply with state and federal environmental laws and regulations. The department also coordinates grants that invest in recreational, cultural and historical assets of Tennessee communities.
The State Revolving Loan Fund provides financial assistance through a series of grants and loans to support local communities with the development and maintenance of drinking water and waste water infrastructure. Access to clean, abundant water for industrial, commercial and drinking water uses is a major economic development advantage for Tennessee and its cities. To support this end, the State Revolving Loan Fund has provided more than $446 million in Clean Water and $64 million in Drinking Water loans over the last 5 years for planning, design and construction. These very low interest loans support water and wastewater system projects so communities can achieve and maintain compliance with regulatory standards and improve water quality.
The department provides Solid Waste Assistance grants to help with recycling, solid waste disposal, used oil recycling, used tire cleanup and waste prevention programs.
The department’s Division of Recreation Education Services provides support and assistance to local governments for their local parks and recreation programs through Local Parks and Recreation Fund grants and Recreation Trails Program grants.
Our department’s Division of Remediation works closely with local governments to identify projects and make compelling grant applications for EPA Brownfield grants that secure federal dollars for cleanup and redevelopment and of former industrial sites.
The Tennessee Historical Commission coordinates Federal Preservation grants to provide resources for projects projects designed to identify and record historic districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant to Tennessee's history and built before 1950.