Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced last week that 18 Tennessee Main Street and Downtown communities, including Main Street Murfreesboro of Rutherford County, have received Downtown Improvement Grants.
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 must 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 spur job creation and drive economic growth.”
“This is the first time Murfreesboro has applied for the Downtown Improvement grant and for us to receive the entire requested $300,000 for multiple building improvement projects in our historic downtown is something to be proud of. Downtown property owners were given the opportunity to submit a preapplication to Main Street Murfreesboro. These requests helped build our case to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to explain why we needed the Downtown Improvement grant. I guess we made a pretty good case!” said Sarah Callender, Executive Director of Main Street Murfreesboro.
The grant funds will be allocated to the different property owners through Main Street Murfreesboro’s Design Committee. The grant funding is reimbursable, and projects must begin in 2025 and be completed by the beginning of 2027. All projects must involve exterior improvements to historical buildings downtown, maintaining the authenticity of the buildings to align with Main Street’s preservation initiatives. Each grant recipient must match their funding by 25%. 100% of the $300,000 will be going towards downtown preservation.