The Cumberland Yacht Harbor, a planned waterfront community and marina under development near downtown Nashville, is the recipient of a $376,172 Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. According to an announcement from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Cumberland Yacht Harbor is one of only 10 projects nationwide to receive a BIG grant, which is funded by the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund to provide additional facilities for recreational boaters. The grant received by The Cumberland Yacht Harbor, in cooperation with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, will be used to construct a 680-foot dock, 20 boat slips, and restrooms for boaters, as well as
dredging access to the marina.
The BIG proposals are reviewed by a panel of representatives from the Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as a committee from the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council. The Council, a federally chartered body, which advises the Secretary of the Interior and the Service on recreational fishing and boating issues, made an initial funding recommendation to the Services based on a review of project proposal by a Council-appointed committee. Money for BIG comes from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which is supported by excise taxes paid on certain fishing and boating equipment.
The Cumberland Yacht Harbor project is located on a 43-acre site on the Cumberland River, less than 10 minutes from the heart of Nashville. Plans for the project, which is attracting attention from boaters as far away as California, include 181 luxury villas constructed alongside a 13.5-acre harbor with marina accommodating more than 200 boats up to 110 feet in length. There will also be public docks and slips for transient boats.
Hardaway Construction of Nashville and RP Industries, Inc. of Franklin, Tennessee, are teamed for construction of the project. All partners and contractors have been involved in numerous real estate and economic development projects in Middle Tennessee and Florida during the past several decades.