Thursday, May 20, 2010
Summer Activities Have Arrived On Tennessee's Main Streets
With the arrival of warm weather, Tennessee Main Street communities across the state are breaking out the fireworks and hauling in the local produce. Tennessee Main Street Programs are hosting multiple summer events and farmer’s markets to support the downtown districts of communities across the state.
"The importance of downtown revitalization in Tennessee historic communities cannot be overstated," ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber said. "The downtown district is truly the heart of a community. Summertime events are a fun and effective way to remind people that shopping locally and investing in their downtown establishments is an important way they can support their local economies."
Main Street revitalization is a comprehensive, incremental, self-help economic strategy that also focuses on developing public-private partnerships to enhance community livability and job creation, while maintaining the historic character of the district.
"Summer is a wonderful time to celebrate communities' traditional commercial districts,” said Kimberly Nyberg, ECD Main Street director. “Revitalized historic downtowns are the lifeblood of Tennessee's communities, both culturally and economically. Warm weather events and farmers’ markets provide an opportunity for residents to come together and enjoy the local businesses and public spaces that make a community truly unique."
The Main Street program provides 23 certified Tennessee communities with technical assistance and guidance in developing long-term strategies that promote economic growth and development. The program provides information and assistance in forging public networking and training opportunities for downtown commercial districts.
Tennessee’s Main Street communities are: Bristol, Cleveland, Collierville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dandridge, Dayton, Dyersburg, Fayetteville, Franklin, Gallatin, Greeneville, Jackson, Johnson City, Kingsport, Lawrenceburg, McMinnville, Morristown, Murfreesboro, Rogersville, Savannah, Tiptonville and Union City.
For detailed listings of Main Street summer events and farmer's markets, please visit: http://www.tn.gov/ecd/whatsnew/.
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