Grants will assist nine communities with downtown building improvements
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd recently approved nearly $750,000 in Commercial Façade Improvement Grants to assist Tennessee communities with downtown improvements.
Commercial Façade Improvement Grants are derived from Tennessee’s federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and are used to improve commercial buildings in downtown districts that have active revitalization programs in place through the Tennessee Main Street and Tennessee Downtowns programs. Grants can be used for improvements including new awnings and signs, painting, windows and doors, brick repair and other upgrades.
“The downtown area is the heartbeat of a city and these communities are taking steps to help their downtowns thrive,” Haslam said. “I congratulate the nine communities awarded the Commercial Façade Improvement Grants this round. They are moving their downtowns in the right direction and helping us reach our goal of making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
“With the assistance of the CDBG Commercial Façade Improvement program, these communities will be able to improve their downtown districts and attract new business,” Boyd said. “With renovations like these, the nine communities that were awarded these grants will be able to succeed in our state which will promote future growth in each community.”
The 2016 Commercial Façade grantees are:
Athens – $100,000
Bolivar – $79,250
Dyersburg – $100,000
Lebanon – $100,000
Mountain City – $50,000
Rogersville – $100,000
Savannah – $100,000
Smithville – $100,000
Tiptonville – $20,000
Seven of the nine grantees are accredited Tennessee Main Street communities, and two are Tennessee Downtowns communities. Each is required to provide a 25 percent match for the funds and administer the façade improvement programs.
This is the fourth annual round of Commercial Façade Improvement Grants.
Each application was supported by the community’s senator and representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Team Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Tennessee is the only three-time winner of “State of the Year” for economic development by Business Facilities magazine. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
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