The process for obtaining grants to restore natural resources at the Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) has officially begun. Announced today, the opening of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) allows interested parties to apply for funding from a $42 million allocation intended to restore areas affected by contamination. This effort is part of a broader initiative to address environmental damage caused during the site’s use as part of the Manhattan Project in the early 1940s, where materials for the atomic bomb were produced.
The trustees responsible for overseeing the grant process include the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the United States Department of Energy (DOE), and the United States Department of the Interior, represented by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The $42 million funding was provided by the DOE and is managed by the state of Tennessee.
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The application process follows the guidelines established by the Natural Resources Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) program. More information on the application procedures can be found in the Restoration Project Selection Procedure Grant Program Manual.
The contamination at the ORR has adversely affected local natural resources and their services, and the objective of this initiative is to restore these resources to conditions comparable to those before the contamination occurred.
Source: Read Original Release
Knoxville Offers Grants for Youth and Safety Initiatives
The City of Knoxville is offering grant funding through its Office of Community Safety and Empowerment to support community initiatives focusing on safety, youth engagement, and violence prevention. Established by Mayor Indya Kincannon in 2020, the department seeks to partner with community organizations to enhance safety and economic development. Available grants include programs for African American equity, youth engagement, violence prevention, and workforce readiness, with application deadlines primarily set for December 5. Further details and applications can be found on the Knoxville Office of Community Safety and Empowerment website.