White Bluff is one of six towns chosen for TDEC’s Tennessee Downtowns program

White Bluff is one of six Tennessee communities to be accepted into a state downtown revitalization program that will lead to a grant for a downtown project. Mayor Linda Hayes announced at Tuesday’s council meeting that White Bluff has been selected for the Tennessee Downtowns program through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. TDEC Commissioner Bill Hagerty announced Wednesday that in addition to White Bluff, Clifton, Greenfield, Portland, Tracy City and Waynesboro were selected for the competitive community improvement program designed to help revitalize traditional commercial districts. “A thriving commercial district can be an excellent driver of economic growth in our rural communities, and we are pleased to recognize those that are committed to reviving the downtown business area in their locale,” Hagerty said in a press release. Tennessee Downtowns is a tiered program affiliated with TDEC’s Tennessee Main Street Program. The selected communities will form a volunteer committee of local citizens who will participate in a multi-month training curriculum designed to teach citizens about comprehensive, sustainable downtown revitalization and historic preservation. The training includes online seminars, workshops and a $15,000 reimbursable grant to complete individualized downtown development projects. “This is the first step,” Hayes said of White Bluff’s acceptance into the program. Towns were selected on five core criteria: historic resources, economic and physical need, demonstrated local effort, overall presentation and probability of success, according to TDEC. Tennessee’s Main Street program provides communities with technical assistance and guidance in developing long-term strategies that promote economic growth and development.