Paris, Tenn.–In a collaborative community effort, eight wireless speakers have been installed to light posts surrounding the courthouse and fountain plaza. Spearheaded by the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Paris Association, funds were secured through a grant to cover the cost of the project.
“Shopping in a rural downtown is all about the experience,” according to Chamber CEO Travis McLeese. “These speakers will add to the quaint and charming atmosphere that you find in our community. In addition, they will be a great enhancement for our events and concerts that bring several thousand people a year to Paris.”
McLeese said the speakers will play music from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. downtown so that people can listen while they’re shopping and running their errands. On Friday, it will transition to Christmas music in time for the Downtown Christmas Open Houses.
Plus, the speakers will be used for downtown musical events such as the performance by Country Music Star Darryl Worley during the Open House.
The Paris Utility Authority made a significant in-kind contribution by installing the units. The City of Paris will allow the use of their light poles and provide power. Ainley & Hoover Attorneys at Law will allow the transmitter and software to be attached to their building. Jarrod Fitzsimmons with DPC provided IT support.
“We had to move quickly to make this happen before Christmas Open House,” McLeese said. “We are very fortunate to live and work in a community where we were able to put people around a table, solve the variables, and pull this project off.”
Photo: Luke Millraney of the Paris Utility Authority installs speaker in Fountain Plaza in downtown Paris.