On October 10th, 2024, representatives from Tennessee state, local, and federal government, along with local water sector leaders, convened in Millington to discuss funding opportunities for water and wastewater infrastructure. The workshop, hosted by Water Finance Exchange (WFX) and Communities Unlimited (CU) highlighted the challenges to achieving urgently needed financial resources for small, rural, underserved communities. Attendees shared successes and challenges from communities across Tennessee as they navigate the planning, funding, and implementation processes of infrastructure projects, as well as the ways to leverage the available technical assistance resources in the state.
Innovative partnerships, new financial strategies, and technical assistance will pave the way for communities to meet their public health and community economic development goals. The workshop included panel discussions, keynote presentations, and break-out sessions, allowing community leaders to learn from, and interact with, state and federal agency representatives and industry experts.