Upcoming Grant Opportunities
Looking for funding opportunities? Here’s a quick snapshot of grants currently available this month.
- MaRTHA Grant
- Convenience Center Grant – $150,000 max request
- Used Oil Grant – $80,000 max request
- Economic Development Agency Funding
- Appalachian Regional Commission Grants
- (Coffee, Franklin, Lawrence, and Lewis)
- Downtown Improvement Grant – $300,000 max request
Rural Health Transformation Program – MaRTHA Grant
Various award amounts available
The CMS Rural Health Transformation Program is a major federal initiative designed to strengthen rural health systems across all 50 states. Authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the program provides up to $50 billion nationwide over five years (FFY 2026–2030) to improve access, quality, workforce stability, innovation, and technology in rural communities.
Tennessee is participating in this historic opportunity to modernize and protect rural healthcare across the state, and build healthier, stronger rural communities for generations to come.
The Make Rural Tennessee Health Again (MaRTHA) Grant is open now! Closing on August 3rd, this is a great opportunity for South Central Tennessee.
The purpose of this funding is to support innovative, community-driven projects that strengthen healthcare access, improve health outcomes, and promote long-term sustainability in rural Tennessee communities.
Its goals are to expand preventive care, behavioral health and substance use services, nutrition and physical activity programs, screenings, chronic disease prevention and management, and other evidence-informed interventions that address upstream drivers of poor health and reduce rural health disparities.
Have an idea on how these funds could work for you? Reach out to South Central Tennessee Development District for any technical assistance.
Interested? Contact:
Lorie Fisher
lfisher@sctdd.org
Convenience Center Grant
$150,000 Max Request – 10%-50% Match
The Convenience Center Grant is open until July 30, 2026 at 3:30 PM CST.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has allocated $150,000 for the Convenience Center Grant offering for Fiscal Year 2027. Applicants may request up to $150,000 to upgrade or build a new convenience center facility.
Learn more: https://www.tn.gov/environment/about-tdec/grants/materials-management/convenience-center.html
Questions?
Mary Grace Newman
mgnewman@sctdd.org
Used Oil Grant
$80,000 Max Request – No Match Required
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has allocated $600,000.00 for grants for the collection of used oil and other automotive fluids. Grants shall not exceed $80,000.00 per site and will be awarded based on merit according to a technical and administrative evaluation of the submitted Grant Application Proposal.
Learn more: https://www.tn.gov/environment/about-tdec/grants/materials-management/used-oil.html
Questions?
Mary Grace Newman
mgnewman@sctdd.org
Economic Development Agency
Funding available
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) provides funding for public infrastructure projects that support economic growth. There is no set funding limit, with awards based on project need and impact.
Eligible projects include:
- Water, sewer, road, broadband, and other public infrastructure
- Infrastructure that supports business expansion, private investment, and job creation
Please note: EDA funding is for public infrastructure only and cannot be used for private development.
Learn more: https://www.eda.gov/funding/funding-opportunities
Questions?
Lorie Fisher
lfisher@sctdd.org
Appalachian Regional Commission
Funding available for Coffee, Franklin, Lewis, and Lawrence
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has funding opportunities available to support projects that strengthen communities, grow the economy, and improve quality of life in eligible counties.
Funding may be available for:
- Infrastructure improvements that support business and industrial growth, including road, water, sewer, and energy upgrades.
- Business expansion projects that require infrastructure or community investment.
- Tourism development initiatives, including funding for regional tourism plans and market analyses to help communities prepare competitive tourism projects.
Interested applicants are encouraged to discuss project ideas early to determine eligibility and next steps.
Learn More: https://www.arc.gov/grants-and-opportunities/
Questions?
Lorie Fisher
lfisher@sctdd.org
Downtown Improvement Grant (DIG)
$300,000 max request – 25% match required
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) offers grants of up to $300,000 for eligible Tennessee Main Street communities and Tennessee Downtowns alumni pursuing certified status.
Funding may support:
- Building façade improvements (minimum 50% of the total project)
- Streetscape, gateway, and courtyard improvements
- Downtown signage and wayfinding
- Electric vehicle charging stations
- Safety and stability improvements, including roofs and sprinkler systems
- Eligible entertainment venue improvements, such as stages
Learn More: https://www.tn.gov/ecd/rural-development/tennessee-main-street/downtown-improvement-grant-program.html
Questions?
Nicole Poag
npoag@sctdd.org
###
Media Contact:
Sydney Brewer, Marketing & Communications Director
sbrewer@sctdd.org
