Seven commercial properties in the heart of downtown Greeneville to receive funding through a state grant awarded to Main Street: Greeneville a non-profit 501c3 organization.
In November 2024, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced 18 Tennessee Main Street and Tennessee Downtowns communities were recipients of Downtown Improvement Grants. Main Street: Greeneville was one of those recipients of $300,000.
To be eligible for a Downtown Improvement Grant, communities had to submit an application and be a designated Tennessee Downtowns or Tennessee Main Street community. In congratulating the communities receiving funding through the latest round of TNECD’s Downtown Improvement Grants, Gov. Lee said “Tennessee’s downtown districts are the key focal points for cities and towns statewide and help to drive business, tourism and leisure. We look forward to seeing the continued prosperity our communities experience because of the economic growth these grants will bring.”
Grants were awarded to organizations that illustrated the need for improvements and the ability to execute an effective design plan for building facades, wayfinding signage, gateways and streetscapes. As part of the program, each new grant recipient will be required to match 25% of the funding received.
“Tennessee’s downtown districts are not only home to local government, but they also serve as a hub for commerce and tourism in our communities,” said Commissioner McWhorter. “I commend our city and county leaders who have taken the necessary steps to revitalize and improve their downtowns, which will in turn spur job creation and drive economic growth.”
Greeneville properties receiving Downtown Improvement Grants are:
• 104 S. Main St., $18,898.49
• 110 S. Main St., $21,941.25
• 122 S. Main St., $20,416.32
• 201 W. Summer St., $47,403.94
• 111 N. Main St., $60,000.00
• 148 W. Depot St., $55,000.00
• 248-250 W. Depot St., $11,340.00
Main Street: Greeneville received seven complete applications which were reviewed and scored by an independent third party. “We were able to fund, in part, all seven projects and truly appreciate the property owners in our community and their desire and willingness to reinvest in downtown Greeneville. In addition to the applications received Main Street: Greeneville has allocated $50,000 of the overall grant funding to be used for improvements to the South Main Street pedestrian walk thru and pocket park known as Eagle’s Rest.” said Jann Mirkov, Main Street Executive Director.
The total award of $300,000 from the state locally going to the seven grantees is 75% reimbursable up to $60,000. The seven downtown commercial properties receiving state funding will focus on façade improvements. Jann Mirkov stated “These seven projects have a combined project cost of $276,602 for the scope of work to be done during this phase of reinvestment. For most of the recipients their overall project costs that include major changes to both interior and exterior space, far exceed the assistance they will receive from our grant, but we are pleased to be able to provide some monies toward facade improvements. The improvements include a wide scope of work from painting, brick work, and window replacements to storefront renovations.”
Main Street: Greeneville will be working with The First Tennessee Development District to administer the Downtown Improvement Grant, DIG for short. The public will have any number of projects to follow over the course of the next 18 months but before visible signs of change take place the grantees will work with the administrators to go through the proper channels to get the grants underway.
This project is funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee.
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 YouTube channel.
