The Resilient Tennessee Revolving Loan Fund empowers local communities to access federal grants programs that otherwise would be out of reach. Local governments can leverage long-term, low-interest loans from the fund to finance hazard mitigation projects that build resilience at the local level. This allows smaller communities the flexibility needed to fund existing services and programs while looking ahead toward disaster preparedness.

Smaller county governments have proven to be less likely to apply for and/or receive federal funding, as they often lack the expertise and/or personnel dedicated to grant writing and management that most competitive federal grants often require. Establishing a state-level revolving loan fund—seeded with up to $50 million in state and federal funds—puts TEMA in the driver’s seat, which makes it significantly easier for smaller communities to apply and receive the funds they need for critical projects.