The Holidays Have Arrived on Tennessee's Main Streets

Main Street Program Touts Special Events, Shopping to Promote Historic Downtowns

NASHVILLE – With the arrival of the holiday season, Tennessee Main Street Programs are hosting multiple holiday events to support the downtown districts of communities across the state.

“Downtown revitalization is an important, often unsung, factor in economic development,” Bill Hagerty, commissioner, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, said. “The Tennessee Main Street Program brings the focus back to businesses and neighborhoods at the heart of a community. Celebrating the holiday season in your own community is not only a rewarding way to connect with your historic downtown district, but also a substantial catalyst for the local economy.”

“This is always an exciting time of year for Main Street programs across the state,” Kimberly Nyberg, director, ECD Tennessee Main Street. “Supporting your historic downtown district and local entrepreneurs by attending holiday events and shopping locally is a great way for communities to connect and grow.”

Main Street revitalization is a comprehensive, incremental, self-help economic strategy that also focuses on developing public-private partnerships to enhance community livability and job creation, while maintaining the historic character of the district.

Tennessee’s Main Street program provides communities with technical assistance and guidance in developing long-term strategies that promote economic growth and development. The program provides information and assistance in forging public networking and training opportunities for downtown commercial districts.

A listing of Main Street holiday events throughout the state can be found at http://www.tn.gov/ecd/pdf/2011_Holiday_Events.pdf.

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. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tn.gov/ecd.

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Media Contact: Shannon Sumrall, ECD
Office: (615) 253-4897
E-mail: shannon.sumrall@tn.gov