Tennessee Announces Recovery Act Funding Available for School Lunchroom Equipment

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Education announced today that school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program can apply for grants to purchase approved school lunchroom equipment. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides the funding through a one-time appropriation to Tennessee of $2,275,738.

“It’s difficult for school districts to make capital purchases during these tough economic times,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “These Recovery Act grants will improve the infrastructure of school cafeterias across the state and support the businesses and manufacturers who provide the equipment.”

Equipment that may be purchased is defined as an article of nonexpendable, tangible personal property with a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit cost of $5,000. Some items of lesser value will also be available for purchase with these grants. Districts will be notified of all school cafeteria equipment grants by early June and will be required to spend all funds by October 1, 2009.

“This is just the first of the Recovery Act dollars that will help our schools,” said Education Commissioner Timothy Webb. “These school nutrition grants will help schools serve a vital function of providing nutritious meals to their students.”

Strict criteria will be used to determine if a district is eligible to receive an equipment grant. Districts must participate in the National School Lunch Program, have at least 50% of their students participate in the free and reduced priced meal program, and be able to expend all grant dollars within three months of receipt.

Information on this grant and all stimulus funds available through the Tennessee Department of education can be found here: http://tn.gov/education/recovery.shtml

For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@state.tn.us.

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