F

The city of Morristown will receive $4,472,852 from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation as part of 102 grants totaling $232,709,981 from the state’s American Rescue Plan fund announced this week.

In all, Lakeway Area communities will receive nearly $19 million in ARP grant funds.

“The City of Morristown is most appreciative to TDEC for their approval of our application for funding,” Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney said. “This will permit significant improvements which we look forward to implementing.”

Of the 102 grants, 17 are collaborative grants and 85 are non-collaborative grants. Collaborative grants involve multiple entities (cities, counties, or water utilities) partnering on projects to work toward a shared purpose. The awards announced today include funding for 132 individual drinking water, wastewater, and/or stormwater infrastructure projects. 

“I am delighted to see TDEC approve these federal funds for Morristown’s projects. Most of the funds will go to Morristown Utilities,” Morristown City Administrator Tony Cox said. “They will install a water tank serving the area around exit 12. This will improve system reliability and help encourage development in that area. The City will be able to undertake two important stormwater improvement projects. One will address concerns in the MAID industrial park and the other will complete repairs along Freshour Street near South Cumberland.”

Morristown Utilities General Manager/CEO Jody Wigington said MU is excited for the opportunity.

“Morristown Utilities is pleased receive the ARP funds for infrastructure improvements to our Water System,” Wigington said. “A more reliable water service should benefit residents and other consumers in the Exit 12 area. MU is grateful to the City and our elected representatives in securing the funds and pushing this opportunity across the line.”

Tennessee received $3.725 billion from the ARP, and the state’s Financial Stimulus Accountability Group dedicated $1.35 billion of those funds to TDEC to support water projects in communities throughout Tennessee. Of the $1.35 billion, approximately $1 billion was designated for non-competitive formula-based grants offered to counties and eligible cities to address critical systems needs. Those include developing Asset Management Plans, addressing significant non-compliance, updating aging infrastructure, mitigating water loss for drinking water systems, and reducing inflow and infiltration for wastewater systems.

“We will pay the required 20% match for these grants from our American Rescue Plan allocation provided by Washington,” Cox said. “We’re very grateful to have this opportunity. It would have been difficult to get these projects done without this assistance from the State and Federal level.”

The grants are part of the $1 billion non-competitive grant program. The remaining funds ($269 million) will go to state-initiated projects and competitive grants.

“These grants will address important water infrastructure needs for local communities across Tennessee,” Gov. Bill Lee said. “We look forward to the improvements these projects will bring, and we commend the communities who have gone through the application process.”

Morristown will use its nearly $4.5 million in ARP funds to implement one drinking water and two stormwater projects.

Morristown’s stormwater projects include stabilizing existing ditch drainage through grading, clearing, grubbing, and erosion control as well as repairing an aging box culvert. The ity’s drinking water project includes system improvements to the water system and installing new water infrastructure to improve system reliability.

“More than ever, infrastructure is critically important to our local communities,” said Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge. “This money will allow cities and towns to address deficiencies and make improvements that will pay dividends not just in the present but in the years to come as well. I greatly appreciate the work of the governor and my colleagues on the Fiscal Accountability Group for their work in making sure these funds were spent appropriately and efficiently.”

“We continue experiencing considerable growth across the state, and many of our communities require additional resources to address their evolving needs,” said Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville. “These grants will play a major role in ensuring cities and towns have access to infrastructure solutions that will enable them to continue thriving so Tennessee remains a preferred destination for both businesses and families.”

“We are grateful to the local applicants, and we anticipate excellent results from these grants,” said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. “This shows that Tennessee recognizes the need for improved water infrastructure, and we are grateful for the leadership of Governor Lee and the General Assembly in seeing that communities get this assistance.”

Morristown wasn’t the only local community to get ARP grant funds.

Other projects include:

Hancock County – $3,009,713

Hancock County, in collaboration with the City of Sneedville and the Sneedville Utility District, will use ARP funds to develop an Asset Management Plan and address critical needs, including reducing excessive inflow and infiltration as well as excessive water loss. Hancock County will improve its drinking and wastewater systems by replacing 6,000 linear feet of asbestos pipe to provide reliable water to currently unserved residents, as well as replacing 1,890 linear feet of aging sewer lines and modernizing their facility.

Cocke County – $6,584,513

Cocke County will use ARP funds to address critical needs in the wastewater system, including significant non-compliance, and develop an Asset Management Plan. Cocke County will construct 56,800 linear feet of new wastewater lines as part of a 20-year plan to replace all CIP/AC lines.

Grainger County – $3,949,472

Grainger County will use ARP funds to address critical system needs for several of the utility systems providing service in the County and develop an Asset Management Plan. Utilities include the Bean Station Utility District, the Town of Bean Station Wastewater System, the Grainger County Wastewater System, and the Luttrell-Blaine-Corryton Utility District. Projects include improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant and collection system, and meter and water line replacements and extensions.

City of Sneedville – $777,319

The City of Sneedville use ARP funds to develop an Asset Management Plan and modernize and improve its wastewater facilities. Sneedville’s wastewater projects will specifically address excessive inflow and infiltration while creating an inflow and infiltration reduction plan.