The Tennessee Dept. of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) announced the next group of rural communities selected to participate in the Tennessee Main Street program. The state economic initiative provides these towns with the resources needed to revitalize their downtown areas and attract more business growth while maintaining their historical character.
The communities selected for the ninth round of this initiative are Adamsville, Baxter, Byrdstown, Camden, Decatur, Gleason, Jellico, Loudon, McEwen, Munford, Spring City, and Wartrace.
“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. 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.”
Stuart C. McWhorter, TNECD Commissioner
All 12 Tennessee towns selected have commercial districts that were established at least 50 years ago and have expressed serious interest in readiness for downtown revitalization. According to TNECD, the program involves an extensive and selective application process. Once selected, community leaders participate in a two-year training program to learn the Main Street Four-Point Approach, which includes the four principles of design, economic restructuring, promotion, and organization developed by the National Main Street Center. Each town also gets a $15,000 grant for a community revitalization project.
For more information on the Tennessee Main Street program eligibility requirements, application process, and how to apply, click here. If you live outside of Tennessee and want to learn how to bring Main Street America’s resources to your rural community, visit https://www.mainstreet.org.
Oregon FFA CEO Kjer Kizer discusses the proposed budget reductions, potential consequences, and the importance of protecting learning opportunities for students interested in agriculture.
December 23, 2025 01:34 PM
·
More than 1,100 residents and farmers have signed a letter urging Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins to step in, saying the proposal threatens irrigation supplies and long-term farm viability in the region.
December 23, 2025 11:37 AM
·
Producers across the country balanced winter weather disruptions, shifting export demand, and tightening margins as year-end decisions come into focus.
December 22, 2025 03:50 PM
·
Reviewing risk management now can help dairy and livestock producers enter 2026 with clearer margins and fewer surprises.
December 22, 2025 03:19 PM
·
With record grain harvests and rising global ethanol demand, leaders across the ag and energy sectors are pushing for year-round E15 sales to mitigate the strain on grain trade.
December 22, 2025 02:45 PM
·
Small, locally focused wineries are finding resilience through direct sales and regional loyalty rather than scale alone.
December 22, 2025 02:05 PM
·
Concerns over Chronic Wasting Disease are fueling a long-standing legal battle between Minnesota regulators and deer farmers. The case could soon reach the state’s Supreme Court with broader implications for agriculture.
December 22, 2025 01:31 PM
·
USDA Undersecretary Luke Lindberg told RFD-TV News that we can only guess what Congress will do down the road. Still, the USDA recognizes its responsibility to spend resources efficiently and effectively.
December 22, 2025 12:40 PM
·
In Minnesota, a legal and legislative battle has reached a tipping point. For over a decade, the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the private deer-farming industry have been locked in a dispute over the management of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
December 22, 2025 12:30 PM
·
