The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development is now accepting applications for the sixth round of the Tennessee Downtowns program. Forty-six communities have participated in the Tennessee Downtowns program since its inception in 2010. The program is open to communities with downtown commercial districts established at least 50 years ago. Tennessee Downtowns provides education, training and grant funding for communities seeking to revitalize traditional commercial districts.
Applications must be completed by Thursday, March 1, 2018.
“Since 2010, the Tennessee Downtowns program has helped 46 Tennessee communities revitalize their historic downtown districts and enhance the quality of life for their residents,” TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe said. “Vibrant downtowns are the heartbeat of Tennessee communities and make them better places to live and work.”
The competitive selection process is based on demonstrated needs locally, community support, preservation ethic as well as existing historical and commercial resources.
“We are excited to be opening the sixth round of the Tennessee Downtowns program,” Nancy Williams, Tennessee Main Street Program director, said. “This program brings the expertise of the Main Street America™ program to local communities and creates a framework for improving and increasing the economic vitality of historic downtown areas across Tennessee.”
Tennessee Downtowns is an affiliated program of Tennessee Main Street. Selected communities work through volunteer committees of local citizens that participate in a two-year program supported by the National Main Street Center. After completing training on the Main Street Four-Point Approach to downtown development, communities also receive a $15,000 grant to complete a downtown improvement project.
