Spring City selected to participate in TDEC's Downtowns Program

SPRING CITY — Last month, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced the 12 Tennessee communities selected to participate in the ninth round of the Tennessee Downtowns Program.

The Town of Spring City was honored to have been selected along with the other communities such as Adamsville, Baxter, Byrdstown, Camden, Decatur, Gleason, Jellico, Loudon, McEwen, Munford, and Wartrace. Each application was supported by the community’s senator and representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly.

“The investments we make in rural Tennessee benefit all Tennesseans, and the Tennessee Downtowns program allows us to equip some of our most rural communities with the tools needed to better develop and revitalize their downtown districts,” said McWhorter. “I congratulate the 12 communities participating in the latest round of the program and look forward to seeing how their downtowns flourish and attract new growth in the years to come.”

The Tennessee Downtowns program helps local communities revitalize traditional commercial districts, enhance community livability, spur job creation and maintain the historic character of downtown districts. The two-year program coaches selected communities and their steering committees through the steps of launching effective renewal efforts. Tennessee Downtowns includes community training through the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach® and a $15,000 grant for a downtown improvement project.

The Spring City Tourism and Events Commission will serve as the program steering committee for Spring City and will partner with the Spring City Chamber of Commerce and downtown businesses to assist in the revitalization using the proven success record of the Main Street America principles.

The highly competitive selection process was based on historic commercial resources, economic and physical need, demonstrated local effort, overall presentation and probability of success. Tennessee Downtown communities that complete the program are eligible for additional Downtown Improvement Grants as well as Main Street designation after completion of the Downtown program. There are currently 47 nationally accredited Main Street communities in Tennessee, 11 of which successfully completed the Tennessee Downtowns program prior to their national accreditation.

“Spring City is looking forward to our partnership with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and the Tennessee Downtowns Program in seeing the benefits the program brings to our downtown business district,” said Spring City Manager Stephania Motes