W.A.T.R. Grant

Applications Open: Monday, November 4, 2024
Applications Due: 2:00 p.m. CT, Friday, May 2, 2025

Who is Eligible:

A marina is eligible to apply for the WATR Program if it is located in the state of Tennessee, is a business entity registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State and remits an annual payment in lieu of tax (PILOT) as well as a property tax assessment through the county in which the marina is located. In order to prove eligibility, the marina must provide evidence of registration with the Tennessee Secretary of State or the county in which it does business and proof of payment of both PILOT and property tax assessment for the county in which the marina is located for the previous calendar year unless exempt (see below). Types of proof allowed are set out in Program Policy.

Amount of Award:

Eligible marinas with approved projects will be awarded up to one-third (1/3) of the total previous years’ payment in lieu of tax (“PILOT”) and property taxes assessed by the county in which the marina is located. Note: Award amount will be determined based on the total number of applications received and total available funds.

Proof of Payment Requirement:

The marina must provide evidence of registration with the Tennessee Secretary of State, proof of payment of both PILOT and property tax assessment for the county in which the marina is located for the previous calendar year.

The eligible marina shall utilize grant funds to reimburse the approved project submitted in connection with the Grantee’s application. All supporting documents, such as vendor invoices and proof of payment to vendors for the project, are due with the application.

Proof of Payment Requirement Exception:

If an otherwise eligible marina has not remitted the PILOT and local county tax on the basis of waiver due to low water levels or other exemption as deemed by the PILOT-enforcing agency, the eligible marina may still be considered as eligible, if proof of payment for the year prior to the waiver taking place is submitted.

Post Approval Reporting:

Grantees must submit a report within thirty (30) days following the end of the Grant Contract. The report shall be provided electronically to Andi.Grindley@tn.gov and include metrics to describe the approved project’s visitor engagement, for example, revenue generated from an additional boat slip or repeat guests after a restaurant build. 

Grant award notifications will be made on Friday, May 9, 2025, regardless of when the application is submitted.