FY26 Downtown Public Safety Grant (DPSG)
FY26 Downtown Public Safety Grant (DPSG) supports local governments and business improvement districts with crime intervention and downtown improvements to reduce crime and blight and strengthen economic viability.
Funder: Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration
Due Dates: Consult OCJP (Application timing) | October 15, 2026 (Quarterly report) | January 15, 2027 (Quarterly report) | April 15, 2027 (Quarterly report) | July 15, 2027 (Quarterly report) | July 31, 2027 (Annual report)
Funding Amounts: $100 million total FY26 appropriation; jurisdictional award limits are provided in the solicitation
Summary: Supports comprehensive downtown safety strategies that reduce crime and blight and improve economic development infrastructure.
Key Information: Eligibility is limited to four named Tennessee local governments and qualifying BIDs and BID Management Corporations.
Description
The Downtown Public Safety Grant is administered by the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration’s Office of Criminal Justice Programs (OCJP). Funded through the State’s 2025–26 budget, it supports comprehensive, place-based strategies to increase public safety, reduce blight, enhance economic development infrastructure, and reduce crime in downtown business and commercial areas. The program recognizes the relationship between increased economic viability and reduced violent crime.
Supported work includes proven crime-intervention models, specialized investigative personnel and training, technology and equipment, and community partnerships. Downtown improvements can include lighting, fixed surveillance infrastructure, expanded police presence in hot spots, traffic-calming measures, and pedestrian infrastructure. Property development and rehabilitation, demolition of crime-contributing infrastructure, blight remediation, façade improvements, and associated architectural and engineering services may also support an approved downtown safety strategy.
