MIDDLE TN - The Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) has awarded $5 million in grant funding to 125 senior centers across the state. The initiative ensures that every senior center that applied will receive support, with individual grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

Locally, two programs in Rutherford County were among the awardees: Mindful Care in Murfreesboro and the Smyrna Senior Citizens – Senior Activity Center of Smyrna. Both will benefit from funding that can be used for capital projects, new equipment, program development, marketing, or operating expenses—though staff salaries are excluded.

Neighboring communities also saw success. Within a 30-mile radius of Rutherford County, recipients included the Cannon County Senior Center, Lebanon Senior Citizens Center, Marshall County Senior Citizens, Maury County Senior Citizens, Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center, and the Shelbyville/Bedford County Senior Citizens Center.

DDA Commissioner Brad Turner emphasized the importance of strengthening Tennessee’s aging network. “Senior centers offer physical, emotional, and mental nourishment to older adults across the Volunteer State,” Turner said. “These grants will ensure that centers in both rural and urban communities are better equipped to serve our growing aging population.”

The DDA began accepting competitive grant applications over the summer, requiring applicants to outline specific goals for the funding. With this round of awards, Tennessee has now provided senior center grant support in 90 counties over the last two years.

The investment aims to enhance programming, improve facilities, and expand resources that keep older Tennesseans healthy, socially connected, and active in their communities.

More Details: Online applications for the grant program began this past summer and came to a close on August 8, 2025. See more details HERE.