Federal Grant Award Summary

East Tennessee Human Resource Agency, Inc. (ETHRA) received a $105,683 formula grant award on February 25, 2026, from the Federal Transit Administration under the Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs (CFDA 20.526). The award supports public transportation services within the Morristown, Tennessee Urbanized Area (UZA-449), specifically serving the urbanized areas of Jefferson and Hamblen Counties. The funding enables ETHRA to transition from rural transit (Section 5311) funding to urbanized area (Section 5307) funding, ensuring continuity of public transportation operations.

The grant funds two primary projects: Section 5307 operating assistance and preventative maintenance, which includes 50% federal funding ($926,171) for general operating assistance, 80% federal support ($71,838) for bus capital items maintenance, and 50% federal support ($10,081) for safety and security operations; and Section 5339(a) capital assistance providing 80% federal funding ($84,547) for the purchase of light-duty transit buses through the Tennessee statewide contract. All projects incorporate required local and state matching funds, with ETHRA's updated Title VI Plan and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise documentation submitted for Federal Transit Administration review. The award completion date is March 30, 2032.