Infrastructure grants awarded to 20 municipalities

Grants for water and sewer infrastructure were awarded to 20 municipalities through the Infrastructure Planning Grant (IPG) program. 

The $7.4 million in funding was split among 24 entities total and is part of the Rural Economic Opportunity Act. The funds will assist communities and utility districts across Tennessee with long-term planning for their water and sewer systems. 

The IPG program is open to utility systems that serve distressed counties and rural communities on the financially distressed utility system referral list. Funds can be used in the following program categories: water system mapping and modeling, water system analysis, sewer system mapping and modeling, sewer system analysis, asset management related activities, and regionalization studies. 

Elizabethton, Erwin, Red Boiling Springs, and Tracy City each received grants of $500,000. Sneedville received $482,500 and Ridgely $476,000. Grants valued at $400,000 were each awarded to Lexington, Newbern, and Portland.  

Smithville received a grant of $249,375 and Linden $210,000 while Lobelville, Tennessee Ridge, Toone, and Trezevant each received $200,000. 

Rogersville received a grant of 194,800, Chapel Hill $160,000, Livingston $114,712.50, Friendship $100,000, and Bethel Springs $84,787.50. 

Additional grants include $370,000 to the Bloomingdale Utility District, $500,000 to the Brownlow Utility District of Johnson County, $199,500 to the Iron City Utility District, and $190,000 to the Minor Hill Utility District of Giles County.  

Applications from communities and utility districts were based on comptroller eligibility, and these systems have been referred to the Board of Utility Regulation (formerly the Utility Management Review Board or the Water and Wastewater Financing Board) because of their net position, non-revenue water or high levels of debt. More information about the program can be found online.