At Monday evening’s meeting of the Henry County Commission, County Mayor Brent Greer announced the allocation of $750,929 to the county from state of Tennessee grant monies designed to boost local governments.
The Local Government Support Grants are being distributed to counties in Tennessee to help boost the economy and complete public safety and infrastructure projects. Governor Bill Lee said earlier the grants are for ‘one-time, local expenses’ in Fiscal 2021.
In our area, grant monies received are: Obion COunty, $734,714; Carroll $717,289; Benton $625,504; Stewart, $605,163; Weakley, $759,126.
In the state’s press release, Governor Lee said, “Capital maintenance, public safety and road projects don’t pause for disasters like the March tornadoes and the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant fund will ease the burden on local governments as they work to meet infrastructure and safety obligations.”
Funding is based on population as published by the US Census Bureau. Each county will
receive at least $500,000, and each city or municipality will receive at least $30,000. The
three Metro governments (Davidson, Moore and Trousdale) will receive one allocation,
whichever is largest. The application will be made available by April 30, 2020, and the funds
will be made available after July 1, 2020.
Funds may be used for road projects, I.T. upgrades, capital maintenance, utility system
upgrades, and public safety projects. Certain disaster-related expenses are also eligible for
funding.
One-time expenses related to COVID-19 are eligible including supply and equipment
purchase, cleaning, emergency food and shelter programs. Counties impacted by the March2020 tornadoes including Benton, Carroll, Davidson, Gibson, Putnam, Smith, and Wilson
counties may also use the funds for tornado relief efforts.