- 14 grants totaling $1.85 million
- Funding supports improvements to building facades and outdoor public spaces
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced today 14 Tennessee Main Street and Tennessee Downtowns communities that are receiving Downtown Improvement Grants.
The city of Paris will receive $150,000 to improve downtown business facades. Paris City Manager Kim Foster said, “This is what used to be called the facade grant. Different downtown businesses have potential projects they have in mind and they will make applications to us and an independent board will review them and decide which ones to fund. We’ll move down the list of projects as long as the funds last.”
The city also plans to paint all the green street light poles and signal poles black with some of the monies.
The city received facade grant monies previously and several downtown businesses took advantage of the opportunities to enhance their properties, including Jack Jones, the Iron Place, HairWorks and the 5 & 10.
Other communities in our area receiving the Downtown Improvement Grants include Trenton, Tiptonville and Humboldt.
“I congratulate the 14 communities receiving funding through the Downtown Improvement Grants,” said Gov. Lee. “These leaders are focusing strategic investments on revitalizing their downtown districts, which are the heart of so many of our communities. This will encourage additional economic development and tourism opportunities for years to come.”
A total of $1.85 million in Rural Economic Opportunity funds is being awarded in amounts up to $150,000 per community. Grants were awarded to organizations that illustrated the need for improvements and the ability to execute an effective design plan for building facades, wayfinding signage, courtyards, gateways and streetscapes in Tennessee Downtowns and Main Street communities.
“With the assistance of the Downtown Improvement Grants, each grantee is taking the initiative to encourage job and business growth in their downtown commercial core areas,” said Commissioner Rolfe. “We applaud the efforts of these communities and look forward to seeing how these projects will positively impact these areas of the state.”
Communities receiving Downtown Improvement Grants are:
- Alamo, Crockett County, $150,000
- Bell Buckle, Bedford County, $150,000
- Centerville, Hickman County, $150,000
- Clifton, Wayne County, $126,758
- Elizabethton, Carter County, $150,000
- Greeneville, Greene County, $150,000
- Humboldt, Gibson County, $150,000
- Linden, Perry County, $66,141
- Lynnville, Giles County, $131,250
- Mount Pleasant, Maury County, $150,000
- Paris, Henry County, $150,000
- Rogersville, Hawkins County, $150,000
- Tiptonville, Lake County, $34,400
- Trenton, Gibson County, $150,000
“This round of Downtown Improvement Grants is an expansion of TNECD’s long-running Commercial Façade Improvement Grant program,” said TNECD Assistant Commissioner of Rural Development Brooxie Carlton. “In addition to funding commercial building façade improvements, communities are working on activating outdoor spaces and providing public amenities in their downtowns.”
To be eligible, communities had to submit applications and be a designated Tennessee Downtowns or Main Street community. To learn more about the Downtown Improvement Grant Program, visit the website.
Photo: Washington Street in downtown Paris. By Shannon McFarlin.