Governor Lee, Commissioner McWhorter Announce 78 Communities to Receive Community Development Block Grants

Wednesday, December 20, 2023 | 03:00pm

·       Grants will assist with local infrastructure, safety and other community improvements

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter recently approved $36.6 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), which will assist communities with infrastructure improvements, housing rehabilitations and health and safety initiatives.

“Congratulations to the 78 communities receiving funding through the latest round of Community Development Block Grants,” said Lee. “What happens in rural Tennessee matters to all Tennesseans, and these infrastructure improvements will be key in preparing communities for future economic development opportunities and continued growth. 

The allocation of CDBG funds is based on priorities set through the public meeting process at the local community level. The CDBG program is funded through HUD and administered in Tennessee by the Department of Economic and Community Development. Funds are available for water and sewer improvements, housing rehabilitation, health and safety projects and other improvements to enhance the quality of life in Tennessee’s rural communities.

In addition to traditional community improvement and safety projects, funding was also made available for community development projects, such as sidewalk and walking trail improvements, street paving and community centers. 

“Recruiting companies to Tennessee and supporting our state’s existing business is a small part of our role at TNECD. Before we can land a new project, celebrate an expansion or provide support to small businesses, we have to ensure that our communities have the infrastructure and quality of life to support and attract these economic development opportunities,” said McWhorter. “The latest round of Community Development Block Grants is assisting 78 of Tennessee’s communities with needed updates that will boost their quality of life for years to come.” 

Below is a list of the 78 Community Development Block Grants: 

Applicant

Project Title

Award Amount

Ardmore

Storm Shelter

$400,000

Baileyton

Park Improvements

$308,594

Bell Buckle

Sewer Rehabilitation

$630,000

Brownsville

Hatchie Street Safety Improvements

$630,000

Cannon County

Fire Protection

$420,000

Caryville

All Inclusive Park & Amphitheater

$627,005

Centerville

Sewer System Rehabilitation

$525,000

Coalmont

Fire Station Project

$537,590

Collinwood

Street Improvements

$270,000

Copperhill

Sewer System Improvements-Phase II

$630,000

Cornersville

Sidewalk Improvements

$208,826

Crab Orchard

Street Improvements

$200,000

Crossville

ADA Greenway Trail

$630,000

DeKalb County

Ambulance Service

$352,497

Dover

Road Infrastructure Improvement

$313,171

Dunlap

Harris Park Improvements-Phase II

$630,000

Dyer

City Park ADA Improvements

$399,535

Elizabethton

Community Pool Renovation

$630,000

Estill Springs

Street Improvements

$456,261

Ethridge

Fire Protection

$420,000

Etowah

Fire Station Project

$630,000

Fayette County

Emergency Management Complex/Fire Station

$630,000

Franklin County

Fire Protection

$398,400

Gainesboro

Sewer System Improvements

$630,000

Gallaway

Sewer System Improvements

$300,000

Greeneville

Sidewalk Improvements

$630,000

Hamblen County

Fire Service Improvements

$420,000

Hawkins County

Highway Department Improvements

$630,000

Haywood County

Ambulance Authority Renovation Project

$630,000

Henderson

Fire Improvement Project

$419,995

Henning

Water System Improvements

$286,700

Hollow Rock

Local Park Improvements

$630,000

Jasper

City Park Improvements-Phase I

$630,000

Kimball

Fire Protection

$420,000

Lake County

Ambulance Service

$378,820

Lexington

Communication System Improvements

$580,803

Linden

Sewer System Rehabilitation

$329,000

Livingston

Wastewater Treatment Plant Renovation

$450,000

Lobelville

Street Improvements

$332,833

Lynnville

Street Improvements

$110,565

Macon County

Fire Protection

$364,465

Madison County

Emergency Services Facility

$630,000

Madisonville

Sewer System Improvements

$534,640

Martin

Recreation Facility Improvements

$630,000

Maury City

Sewer System Improvements

$274,085

Maury County

Sewer System Rehabilitation

$560,000

Maynardville

Park Development Project

$587,572

McMinn County

Bicentennial Park Improvements-Phase II

$630,000

McMinnville

Sewer System Enhancements

$630,000

Minor Hill

City Park Lighting Improvements

$243,000

Monteagle

Fire Protection

$294,411

Monterey

Sewer System Improvements

$315,000

Moore County

Street Improvements

$200,000

Mountain City

Ralph Stout Park Improvements

$630,000

Mt. Pleasant

Water System Improvements

$630,000

New Market

Community Center Rehabilitation

$337,725

Overton County

Fairgrounds Revitalization

$545,330

Pickett County

EMS Improvements

$357,280

Polk County

Copper Basin Boys and Girls Club Development

$630,000

Rhea County

Multipurpose Community Outreach Center

$630,000

Rives

Fire Protection

$281,600

Roane County

Fire Service Improvements

$420,000

Rogersville

City Park Improvements

$630,000

Sequatchie County

Valley Fest Site Improvements Project-Phase II

$630,000

Sharon

City Park Improvements

$373,532

Shelbyville

Sidewalk Improvements

$550,000

Spencer

Water System Rehabilitation

$630,000

St. Joseph

Street Improvements

$182,390

Tiptonville

Street Improvements

$630,000

Trenton

Sewer System Improvements

$630,000

Trezevant

Sewer System Improvements

$232,115

Unicoi

Street Improvements

$630,000

Vonore

Park Improvements

$497,416

Wartrace

Sewer System Improvements

$450,000

Waynesboro

Street Improvements

$505,000

Westmoreland

Fire Service Improvements

$256,366

White Bluff

Pedestrian Connector Project

$300,000

White County

EMS Improvements

$423,086

Each application was supported by the community’s senator and representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly.

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies that help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment to the state and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.

TNECD Media Contact
Lindsey Tipton
Public Information Officer
(615) 339-6608
Lindsey.Tipton@tn.gov

###