Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and other cities in Tennessee could soon receive a share of the $175 million state funding to create safer cities through the Downtown Public Safety Grant (DPSG) and the Violent Crime Intervention Fund (VCIF).
Applications for both grants opened Oct. 2 for eligible municipalities and law enforcement agencies. Eligibility is restricted to cities or Business Improvement Districts with populations over 181,000.
The DPSG includes $100 million for proven violent crime intervention programs, new public safety technology and equipment and comprehensive place-based safety strategies. It may also be leveraged for property development, redevelopment or rehabilitation.
The VCIF will award $75 million in support of local efforts to reduce violent crime through data-driven strategies, specialized police units, community partnerships and public safety technology.
The Tennessee General Assembly capped funding for some major cities, which is as follows:
- Memphis: $74 million.
- Nashville: $15 million.
- Knoxville: $4.9 million.
- Chattanooga: $4.5 million.
Eligible entities may subcontract with licensed nonprofit or for-profit organizations to carry out approved programs. Submissions are due Oct. 24, and must meet state compliance, reporting, and coordination requirements.
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