Tennessee Downtowns

Overview

Tennessee Downtowns is an affiliated program of Tennessee Main Street designed to help communities embark on a comprehensive revitalization effort for their downtown.  Using the proven National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach® to downtown revitalization, this 24-month program coaches selected downtowns and their steering committees through the steps of launching an effective revitalization effort.  Space in this program is limited and highly competitive. Program activities include training, site visits, regional workshops, webinars, technical assistance and an innovation project grant.

Applications for Tennessee Downtowns are accepted every two years. Round 11 will be in January of 2028.

For a map of past TN Downtown participants:  TN MainStreets and Downtowns Map_2024

Certified Tennessee Downtowns Program

The purpose of the Certified Tennessee Downtowns program is three-fold :

First, the process will strengthen the program by providing continued training to alumni communities to better help in economic development, heritage tourism, and preservation efforts.

Second, the program will allow us to collect reinvestment statistics previously not reported in the collective impact of our community and rural development work to help illustrate the overall impact of rural communities in the state of Tennessee.

Finally, the program will provide a structured pathway for alumni communities to become a designated TN Main Street program.

To be eligible for a TNECD Downtown Improvement Grant in 2026 and 2027, TNDT Alumni must participate in the new CERTIFIED PROGRAM

Initial Letters of intent are open now for the Certified Tennessee Downtowns program:

Submit a fully completed Formstack agreement by July, 1st, 2026 as your Letter of Intent which can be found here. You will attach your city resolution here as well.

Requirements for participation

Be an eligible community that has participated in Tennessee Downtowns from rounds 1-8. (Listed in the available TNDT presentation.)

Have a 5-person steering committee in place to help direct the Tennessee Downtowns program for the city.

Obtain a new city resolution agreeing to participate in mandatory requirements of the Certified Tennessee Downtowns

Follow the steps as they are laid out in the Tennessee Downtowns Presentation available HERE.

Fulfill your agreement to participate in available trainings and submission yearly of Annual Reinvestment Statistics.

To request a recording of the virtual training, please email Frank.Clark@tn.gov

Eligibility

Space in the Tennessee Downtowns program is limited and highly competitive. To participate in Tennessee Downtowns, communities must have not previously participated in the program and:

  • Be a city located in a county that is an active participant in the ThreeStar program.
  • Designate a program area (revitalization district) focused on a traditional commercial district with the majority of buildings at least 50 years old.  The district should feature a pedestrian scale and orientation that is compact in size and has a regular pattern of sidewalks that can be comfortably walked. It should also have a critical mass of buildings, at least 2/3 of which are commercial in nature, and businesses which form the foundation for revitalization efforts.
  • Establish a dedicated five-member volunteer “Downtown Revitalization Steering Committee” of community leaders who will participate for the length of the program. This will involve allocating time for on-site meetings and training sessions.
  • Have a designated non-profit or local government organization that will house the steering committee and serve as a conduit for the associated grant. This organization must have the financial resources to spend on an innovation grant which will be reimbursed through the Tennessee Downtowns program upon completion.
  • Illustrate interest and support from local government, chambers of commerce, merchant organizations, business and property owners within the district, and others who recognize the importance of downtown to their community and are willing to learn along with the steering committee and be involved where needed.
  • Adopt a resolution by the city government to participate in the program.
  •  Clearly demonstrate community need for downtown revitalization assistance.
  • Join the National Main Street Center as a “Standard member”.

Application Process

The application period for round 11 will open in 2028. To be best prepared please see the below application handbook for program information.