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.
Cotton acres slipping as competing crops gain ground.
February 16, 2026 12:00 PM
·
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has issued final Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments totaling more than $1.89 billion.
February 16, 2026 10:55 AM
Formally dubbed “Farm Bill 2.0” by committee leadership, the draft surfaces after a high-stakes legislative dance that saw much of the traditional farm bill’s funding, specifically for crop insurance and safety net programs, carved out and passed in last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
February 16, 2026 10:51 AM
·
Specialty Crops Acreage Reporting Deadline for 2025 is March 13
February 13, 2026 04:12 PM
Livestock Conservancy Senior Program Manager Jeannette Beranger explains the upcoming poultry census and ongoing efforts to preserve rare and heritage poultry breeds raised across the U.S.
February 13, 2026 02:20 PM
·
Alliant Chairman of Agriculture and former U.S. Ag Secretary Mike Johanns explains the R&D Tax Credit, the recent Tax Court ruling, and ways livestock producers and agribusinesses can qualify.
February 13, 2026 01:51 PM
·
