The Knoxville City Council recently approved a contract with a grant management company. City Manager Harold Stewart says the company, eCivis, provides a very large and extensive database of grants, making it easier to find grants the city would be eligible for. Stewart also says that eCivis provides assistance on writing the grants themselves. He hopes it’ll be an effective way to secure a grant writer while being more affordable than hiring a grant writer.

Stewart said during last week’s meeting that eCivis claims a 90% retention rate and says that municipalities see on average a $150 return rate for every dollar spent. A couple of City Council members sat in on an online presentation and said they were impressed by the possibilities eCivis offered.