City of Cleveland to receive downtown improvement grant

From the Chattanoogan: The City of Cleveland in Bradley County is among the 14 Tennessee Main Street and Tennessee Downtowns communities announced as recipients of Downtown Improvement Grants (DIGs) by Governor Bill Lee and Deputy Governor and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter on Wednesday.

“Our rural communities are the backbone of our economy, and I’m proud to take part in announcing these grants,” said Governor Lee. “I'm grateful for local leaders who care deeply about their communities and look forward to seeing the investments they make to ensure all of Tennessee can flourish.”

More than $3.9 million in Rural Economic Opportunity funding is being awarded to improve structures in Tennessee Downtowns and Main Street communities.

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 percent of the funding received.

“Vibrant downtowns do not happen by accident - they are built through local vision, long-term planning and collaboration. These grants will help 14 communities turn that vision into visible progress by revitalizing the places where residents gather, businesses grow and visitors experience what makes each community unique,” said Deputy Governor and Comm. McWhorter. “We are proud to partner with local leaders as they strengthen their downtowns and build even stronger local economies across Tennessee.”

Communities receiving Downtown Improvement Grants are:

Centerville, Hickman County, $300,000

Cleveland, Bradley County, $300,000

Collinwood, Wayne County, $125,000

Etowah, McMinn County, $350,000

Gallatin, Sumner County, $300,341

Henderson, Chester County, $218,466

Lenoir City, Loudon County, $225,000

Main Street Livingston, Overton County, $300,000

Main Street Union City, Obion County, $300,000

McKenzie, Carroll County, $311,250

Mount Pleasant, Maury County, $325,000

Munford, Tipton County, $350,000

Newport, Cocke County, $245,511

Paris, Henry County, $250,000

“We are very excited for these 14 communities who have taken steps to give their residents and visitors a better Tennessee experience,” said TNECD Main Street Director Kim Parks. “Our state’s downtowns possess some of the best hospitality and character of any across the country.”

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.