Community Development

Community Development Block Grant Program:

            The “Regular Round” Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications may be submitted in one of four categories:  Water; Sewer; Housing Rehabilitation; and Community Livability.  Maximum grants are $500,000 for water, sewer, and housing rehabilitation projects.  Maximum grants are $300,000 for community livability projects, which include rural fire protection, primary health care, and other similar projects related to health and safety conditions in the community.  For further information, please go to the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development website at www.state.tn.us/ecd.

Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) Grant Program:

            The LPRF is to provide grants to all eligible local governmental entities for the purchase of lands for parks, natural area, greenways, and for the purchase of land for recreation facilities.  The funds may also be used for trail development and capital projects in parks, natural areas, and greenways.  For more information, please go to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation website at www.state.tn.us/environment/recreation.

Recreation Trails Program (RTP) Grant Program:

            The intent of the Tennessee Recreation Trails Program is to enhance both motorized and non-motorized recreation trail opportunities and to provide and maintain recreation trails.  Recreation Trails Program funds may be used for:  Non-routine maintenance and restoration of existing trails; Development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages; Purchase and/or lease of trail construction and maintenance equipment; Construction of new trails; and Acquisition of easements or fee simple title to property for recreation trails or recreation trail corridors.  For more information, please go to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation website at www.state.tn.us/environment/recreation.

Federal Emergency Management Agency/United States Fire Administration Grants:

            The United States Fire Administration (USFA) is a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security.  The FEMA/USFA awards grants directly to fire departments of the State to enhance and protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel, with respect to fire and fire-related hazards.  Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to applicants that address USFA program priorities, demonstrate financial need, and demonstrate the benefit to be derived from their projects.  For further information, please go to the Assistance to Firefighter Grants site at www.firegrantsupport.com/afg.

Tennessee Housing Development Agency:

            The Planning Department is contracted with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) to provide housing technical assistance.  For more information, please to the THDA website at www.state.tn.us/thda.

Tennessee River Trails Association:

            In conjunction with the Greater Nashville Regional Council, the South Central Tennessee Development District, the Southwest Tennessee Development District, nine river counties along the Tennessee River, and a host of other federal, state and local partners, the Northwest Tennessee Development District continues to work toward establishing the Tennessee River Trails Association.  The Association’s goal is to boost economic growth for these nine counties and focus on recreation, tourism, economic development, and community development to aid these counties.  For more information, please go to the Tennessee River Trails Association website at www.tennrivertrails.com.

Regional and Planning

NWTDD