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Grant Funding & Applications
The City of Copperhill actively pursues state, federal, and private grant opportunities to help invest in the future of our community. Grant funding supports a variety of initiatives, including road improvements, downtown revitalization and beautification, park enhancements, social services, and programs that support local business development.
While the City continuously seeks funding opportunities that address local needs, grant programs are often limited in scope and may only fund specific types of projects. Additionally, grant funding is highly competitive, with many communities applying for the same resources. As a result, not every community need has a corresponding grant program available, and submitting an application does not guarantee that funding will be awarded.
In some cases, the projects eligible for grant funding may not align exactly with the community’s most pressing needs. However, we believe it would be a disservice to our community not to pursue funding opportunities that are available. Most grants are restricted to specific purposes and cannot be redirected to other projects.
At the same time, the City carefully evaluates each opportunity. Some grants require significant local matching funds or include loan components that could create long-term financial obligations. When considering these programs, our goal is to pursue funding that benefits the community without placing an unnecessary financial burden on residents for years to come.
Our goal is to pursue every responsible opportunity that can benefit Copperhill while remaining transparent with residents about both the opportunities and the limitations of grant funding.
Grant Listing
Active & Recent Grants
Below is a list of recent grants the City of Copperhill has pursued, including those that have been awarded, denied, or are currently being administered. Information regarding these grant opportunities and applications has been discussed during our monthly Board of Mayor & Aldermen meetings as part of our commitment to transparency and keeping the public informed.
Both awarded and denied applications are included below to provide a clear view of our ongoing efforts to secure outside funding and invest in projects that benefit our community.
Community
Tennessee America 250 Grant
Tennessee America 250 celebrates and commemorates America’s 250th Anniversary by highlighting and preserving the unique stories, objects, landmarks, and places that reflect Tennessee’s contributions to the nation’s history.
If awarded, this grant would support the creation of a statue recognizing the historic mining heritage of Copperhill, Tennessee, and the surrounding communities.
Award Amount$25,000
SourceTennessee America 250
Match RequiredNone required
Project Period2026 - 2027
Infrastructure
State Water Infrastructure Grant (SWIG)
Tennessee’s SWIG Program provides financial assistance to local governments, water districts, utilities, and other eligible entities for the planning, design, construction, and rehabilitation of critical water infrastructure.
If awarded, this grant would support needed improvements to the Fightingtown Pump Station.
Award Amount$58,440
SourceTennessee Department of Environment & Conservation
Match RequiredNone required
Project Period2025 - TBD
Infrastructure
State Water Infrastructure Grant (SWIG)
Tennessee’s SWIG Program provides financial assistance to local governments, water districts, utilities, and other eligible entities for the planning, design, construction, and rehabilitation of critical water infrastructure.
If awarded, this grant would support needed improvements to the Fightingtown Pump Station.
Award Amount$258,150
SourceTennessee Department of Environment & Conservation
Match RequiredNone required
Project Period2025 - TBD
Community
Tennessee Downtowns Program
The Downtown Improvement Grant supports the preservation and maintenance of older buildings in downtown districts while encouraging new economic opportunities and improving the overall appearance and livability of the area.
If awarded, this grant would fund downtown projects and improvements in partnership with Discover Copper Basin, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Award Amount$15,000
SourceTennessee Department of Economic & Community Development
Match RequiredNone required
Project Period2025 - 2026
Infrastructure
FY26 Infrastructure Planning Grant (IPG)
The Infrastructure Planning Grant is available to utility systems serving distressed counties and rural communities that have appeared on the financially distressed utility system referral list within the past three years.
If awarded, this grant would support planning and upgrades to sewer line infrastructure along W. Tennessee Avenue and Colonial Avenue.
Award Amount$500,000
SourceTennessee Department of Economic & Community Development
Match Required5% Match ($25,000)
Project PeriodN/A
Infrastructure
Tourism Enhancement Grant
The grants help cities and counties enhance visitor experiences, attract more tourism, and increase local economic impact. Eligible projects include improvements to stages, signage, historic preservation, ADA accessibility, and other upgrades to local attractions and venues.
If awarded, this grant would fund the installation of new, energy-efficient windows in the City Hall building.
The City of Copperhill has applied for a grant to fund new windows for City Hall twice but has not yet been awarded funding.
Award Amount$100,000
SourceTennessee Department of Tourist Development
Match Required10% Match ($10,000)
Project PeriodN/A
Infrastructure
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Water Infrastructure Program provides funding to help communities invest in critical drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.
If awarded, this grant would support needed improvements to the Fightingtown Pump Station.
Award Amount$296,980
SourceTennessee Department of Environment & Conservation
Match RequiredNone required
Project Period2025 - TBD
Infrastructure
Community Development Block Grant
CDBG funding supports projects such as water and sewer improvements, public health and safety initiatives, community revitalization, and other infrastructure investments that benefit residents, particularly low- and moderate-income populations.
If awarded, this grant would support needed improvements to the Fightingtown Pump Station.
Award Amount$624,579
SourceTennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Match RequiredNone required
Project Period2025 - TBD
What You Need to Know
Important Facts About Grant Funding
Grant funding comes with specific legal requirements, reporting obligations, and restrictions on how funds can be used. It is important for both residents and board members to understand these requirements to ensure the funds are used properly and in compliance with the grant program.
Funds Are Restricted to Approved Purposes
Grant money must be used solely for the project described in the approved application. The City cannot redirect grant funds to other needs — even if a different project seems more urgent at the time.
Example: A statue grant cannot be used to fill a budget gap in road maintenance.
Matching Funds Are a Legal Commitment
Many grants require the City to contribute a percentage of the total project cost from local funds. This "match" is pledged at the time of application and must be secured — it cannot be waived after the grant is awarded.
A 20% match on a $500,000 grant means the City must commit $100,000 in local funds.
Scope of Work Cannot Be Easily Changed
Once a grant agreement is signed, the project scope, budget, and timeline are fixed. Any significant changes require formal approval from the granting agency — and many changes are not permitted at all. Unauthorized changes can trigger full or partial repayment demands.
If a road project scope is reduced, the City may need to return a portion of unspent funds.
Strict Deadlines & Performance Periods
Every grant specifies a start and end date. Work must be completed and funds drawn down within that window. Extensions are possible but not guaranteed, and many grantors rarely approve them.
Unused funds at the end of a grant period are typically returned to the granting agency.
Detailed Reporting & Record-Keeping Required
Grant recipients must maintain thorough financial records, submit progress and financial reports on schedule, and document how every dollar was spent. All records are subject to audit for several years after project completion.
Federal grants often require records to be retained for a minimum of 3–7 years post-closeout.
Special Procurement Rules Apply
Grant-funded projects must follow specific bidding and procurement procedures, often stricter than the City's normal purchasing policies. Some grants require competitive bidding and additional contractor certifications.
Informal bids or sole-source contracts may not be allowable under federal grant requirements.
Long-Term Use Commitments May Apply
Certain grants — particularly for parks, buildings, or equipment — require the City to use the funded asset for its intended purpose for a set number of years. Selling or repurposing the asset early may require repayment of a portion of the grant.
LWCF park grants may require the land to remain public recreational use in perpetuity.
Grants Are Not "Free Money"
While grants do not need to be repaid under normal circumstances, they come with significant administrative burden, staff time, legal obligations, and matching costs. The City carefully evaluates whether the benefit justifies the total commitment before applying.
Grant administration costs — staff time, audits, reporting — are real costs factored into every application decision.
Grant Funds Cannot Replace Budgeted Spending
Grant money must fund new or specific activity — it cannot substitute for money the City would have spent from its regular budget anyway. Using grant funds to replace existing budgeted expenditures ("supplanting") is a serious violation that can result in repayment and penalties.
A youth programming grant cannot simply replace a line item already in the City's annual budget.
Questions About City Grant Applications or Programs?
Have questions about grants the City of Copperhill has applied for, received, or is currently pursuing? We’re happy to help. City Hall can provide additional information about specific grant programs, project timelines, funding status, and how grant funds are used to support improvements in our community.
Please note that while we actively seeks grant opportunities to address community needs, many grants are highly competitive and not all applications are successful. We remain committed to pursuing funding whenever opportunities align with our community’s priorities.
Contact City Hall for more information or assistance regarding a specific grant.
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Copperhill, TN 37317
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