- Nearly $6 million allocated to renovate and preserve Tennessee’s historic buildings
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) announced today the recipients of Tennessee Historic Development Grants.
“The Historic Development Grant program assists in preserving and revitalizing some of Tennessee’s most historic and notable buildings so that they once again have the opportunity to serve as a hub for commerce and tourism,” said TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter. “I congratulate the communities receiving funding through the latest round of the program and thank the Tennessee Historical Commission for their partnership.”
Approved by the Tennessee General Assembly in April 2021, the program will provide $5.7 million to projects that aim to renovate and preserve historic buildings across the state. The program encourages communities and private developers to invest in buildings that have contributed to a community’s history but now sit idle. These buildings can once again contribute to the economy through job creation and commercial opportunities.
For this round of the program, the state’s $5.7 million investment is expected to leverage more than $13 million in private investment.
TNECD partnered with the Tennessee Historical Commission (THC) to structure application requirements and review grant applications to ensure that each proposal would rehabilitate the structures while maintaining the historical integrity. The THC’s mission is to protect, preserve, maintain and administer historic places and encourage the inclusive diverse study of Tennessee’s history for the benefit of future generations.
“The Tennessee Historical Commission is proud to take part in providing assistance to ensure that the legacy of Tennessee’s historic landmarks continue to inspire our future generations,” said THC Executive Director and State Historic Preservation Officer Patrick McIntyre. “Many of the state’s historic properties are being rehabilitated thanks to the economic incentives from the Historic Development Grants and Federal Historic Tax Credits, and we look forward to seeing the impact these grants make across Tennessee.”
The grant recipients include the following individuals, developers, nonprofit or local government agencies:
Bingham Properties – $300,000 to rehabilitate the RC Kefauver House in Madisonville, TN
Black Feather Botanicals, LLC – $20,000 to rehabilitate the Lawrence County Advocate in Lawrenceburg, TN
City of Lawrenceburg – $300,000 to rehabilitate the Crockett Theater in Lawrenceburg, TN
Clinch-Powell RC&D Council, Inc. – $150,000 to rehabilitate the Rutledge Church in Rutledge, TN
County of Hardeman – $296,625 to rehabilitate the Hardeman County Historical Records/Archives in Bolivar, TN
Dynamix Physical Therapy, LLC – $10,000 to rehabilitate the Varsity Theater in Weakley, TN
Friends of Franklin Parks, Inc. – $300,000 to rehabilitate Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, TN
Hawkins County Government – $300,000 to rehabilitate the Clay-Kenner House in Rogersville, TN
Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 7 Foundation – $300,000 to rehabilitate the Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 7 in Franklin, TN
HREH, LLC – $113,000 to rehabilitate the Earles Drug & Professional Building in Franklin, TN
Jamey Fillers – $300,000 to rehabilitate the Greeneville Historic District in Greeneville, TN
KBD LLC – $125,000 to rehabilitate the Felkner Building in Morristown, TN
Lakeway Holdings Co. – $300,000 to rehabilitate the Southern Bell and Telegraph Building in Morristown, TN
Masquerade Theatre Inc. – $68,000 to rehabilitate the Capitol Theatre in Union City, TN
Michael P. Johnson – $100,000 to rehabilitate 115 North Main Street in Jellico, TN
Regents Park QOZB, LLC – $300,000 to rehabilitate the Lowenstein House in Memphis, TN
Rogersville/Hawkins County Chamber of Commerce – $286,650 to rehabilitate St. Mark’s Church in Rogersville, TN
Scott P. Ledbetter – $300,000 to rehabilitate 119 N Main Bolivar Court Square in Bolivar, TN
Sean Zearfoss – $67,200 to rehabilitate the William M. Gailbreath House in Gainsboro, TN
Sterling Hedrick, LLC – $300,000 to rehabilitate the Sterick Building in Memphis, TN
The Dermon Building OZ LLC – $300,000 to rehabilitate the Dermon Building
in Memphis, TN
The Sevierville Commons Association – $300,000 to rehabilitate the Sevierville Post Office in Sevierville, TN
Tivoli Theatre Foundation, Inc. – $300,000 to rehabilitate the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga, TN
United Way of West Tennessee – $200,000 to rehabilitate the Stanton School in Stanton, TN
Watauga Property Group – $300,000 to rehabilitate the Elizabethon Post Office in Elizabethton, TN
Wilson County Black History Committee – $100,000 to rehabilitate the Pickett Chapel in Lebanon, TN
Various criteria must be met in order for a structure to be eligible for a grant. Eligible properties that qualify as certified historic structures are defined here.
Additional information about the grant, eligibility and application can be found here.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies that help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment to the state and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Like us on Facebook. Subscribe to our YouTubechannel.
TNECD Media Contact
Lindsey Tipton
Director of Communications
(615) 339-6608
[email protected]
###
