This week Gov. Bill Lee allocated $200 million in grants to be distributed to every county and city government across Tennessee for one-time, local expenses in Fiscal Year 2021.
The announcement was made Monday (4.6.20).
The portion allocated for Lakeland is $308,438, according to Rep. Tom Leatherwood (R-District 99). Arlington’s share of the appropriation is $288,135; Bartlett $1,338,991; and Millington $265,802. “We appropriated $200 million in the state budget to help local governments in their response to Covid-19 and with public safety,” said Rep. Leatherwood.
He added, “The funding is based on population as published by the US Census Bureau, as is so much other funding. This really drives home how important it is for us to get our friends and neighbors to also participate in the census.”
Each county will receive at least $500,000, and each city or municipality will receive at least $30,000.
The application will be made available by April 30 and the funds will be made available after July 1.
Asked about plans for the funds, Lakeland City Manager Shane Horn said, “We are still exploring projects for these grant funds. We will be having a budget work session next Tuesday (4.14.20) with the BOC (Board of Commissioners) and department heads.”
Funds may be used for road projects, I.T. upgrades, capital maintenance, utility system upgrades and public safety projects. One-time expenses related to COVID-19 are eligible including supply and equipment purchase, cleaning, emergency food and shelter programs.
Link to announcement: https://www.tn.gov/governor/news/2020/4/6/tennessee-to-distribute–200-million-to-county-and-city-governments-through-governor-s-local-support-grants-.html
Link to allocations among cities and towns: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/finance/documents/localgovgrants/21Cities.pdf
Link to county distributions: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/finance/documents/localgovgrants/21Counties2.pdf
