Fair board backs application for $1.9 million BRIC grant to add emergency generator

The Metropolitan Board of Fair Commissioners on July 14 voted to authorize the executive director to apply for a BRIC resiliency grant to add a backup generator at the Nashville Fairgrounds.

Executive Director Laura told the board the BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) opportunity is administered through the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and funded by FEMA. She said the state has $2 million available and the fairgrounds will seek $1.9 million to purchase a roughly 2,500‑kVA natural‑gas generator and fund required site and engineering work. "There is a 25% match on this," she said, adding that the source of the match is still under discussion and that site work and engineering will need to be identified.

Laura said staff preferred a natural‑gas unit to avoid storing large quantities of diesel on site. "I really didn't want to deal with having three days of diesel fuel on‑site—that just to me could be an accident waiting to happen," she said.

The board did not take funding action at the meeting; members voted to endorse the application and authorize the executive director to proceed with the grant submission so the board’s support can be included in the packet that ultimately goes to Metro Council if the grant is awarded. Chair (role) moved the authorization and the motion carried by voice vote.

If awarded, the grant and the board's endorsement will be forwarded to Metro Council as part of the grant acceptance and contracting process, the executive director said. The next steps include finalizing the match funding plan and completing required engineering/site work prior to installation.

Authorities referenced in the discussion included the BRIC grant program (FEMA funds, administered via Tennessee Emergency Management Agency).