TN: TNECD Announces $7.4 Million in Infrastructure Planning Grants to 36 Applicants

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced today the 36 recipients receiving funding through the Infrastructure Planning Grant (IPG) program.

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

“Efficient utility infrastructure is crucial to economic development,” said Gov. Lee. “I thank the General Assembly for funding this program and commend the 36 grantees for stepping up to help our communities strengthen local infrastructure and plan for the future.”

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.

“Having strong infrastructure in place is critical to a community’s economic growth. These grantees will be able to use this funding to attract other grants and funding that will prepare their systems for growth,” said Commissioner McWhorter. “I congratulate those receiving funding through the IPG program and look forward to seeing how these 36 projects will spur future economic growth.”