In January 2025 under the Biden administration, it was announced that Knoxville was "awarded a $24.7 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation."

In April 2025 under the Trump administration,
"City officials received a letter April 24 from the federal transportation department, Knox News has learned, warning them against engaging in diversity, equity and inclusion practices.

“It is the policy of the department to award and to continue to provide federal financial assistance only to those recipients who comply with their legal obligations,” U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in the letter.

Knoxville's "grant application makes many references to efforts to improve equity and diversity and to combat climate change."

This should be interesting. Can't wait to see how they change the language of the grant request.