Tennessee IMPROVE Act Capital Investment Grants

The IMPROVE Transit Investment Grant is a state-funded initiative administered by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) under the IMPROVE Act, which was enacted in 2017 during Governor Haslam's administration. This funding program supports capital transit projects across Tennessee, aiming to alleviate congestion, enhance ridership, boost economic development, and promote transit safety. Initiated in 2018, the program has funded nearly 100 projects including the rebuild of the WeGo Star locomotive, upgrades to transit bus stops, startup costs for micro-transit services, and the development of transit facilities. These projects align with TDOT’s goal of fostering continuous improvement through data-informed decision-making, enhancing overall public transportation infrastructure in Tennessee. The State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025 phase has concluded its Notice of Intent process, and eligible applicants were invited to submit full proposals as of August 5th. Applications are by invitation only and must include required documentation such as a procurement schedule. The program offers downloadable resources, including the SFY2025 Fact Sheet and Application Package, from the TDOT website. Grant awards span multiple categories such as Rolling Stock & Equipment, Infrastructure, and Facilities. SFY2024 awards included funding for hybrid buses, fleet maintenance tools, real-time GPS systems, bus stop upgrades, transit amenities, and facility enhancements. Award amounts ranged from approximately $48,000 to $5 million depending on project scale and scope. Eligibility extends to transit agencies and public service organizations across the state, though submission is limited to those who received an official invitation after submitting a Notice of Intent. Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to Christopher Turner at Christopher.Turner@tn.gov for guidance on project development or application questions. All inquiries should be directed to TDOT’s central office located at 505 Deaderick Street, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37243. General questions may also be sent to TDOT.Comments@tn.gov or addressed by calling (615) 741-2848. While the program is not listed as recurring, the multi-year nature and historical precedents suggest future cycles are likely.