Main Street McMinnville Achieves Certification in the Tennessee Main Street Program

NASHVILLE - Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matthew Kisber announced that Main Street McMinnville has been recertified for the Tennessee Main Street Program.

"This designation is a sign of McMinnville's tremendous hard work, and I am proud to offer my congratulations," Kisber said. "Strong community development, coupled with respect for that community's historical legacy, is the basis for healthy economic growth, and McMinnville has demonstrated their commitment to improvement by accepting and meeting the Tennessee Main Street Program's challenging requirements. This dedication has yielded progress, and McMinnville is more prepared than ever to grow into the future by building on the valuable past."

The Tennessee Main Street Program is a comprehensive revitalization program designed to promote the historic and economic redevelopment of traditional business districts in Tennessee. The Tennessee Main Street Program serves as a coordinating partner with the National Main Street Center, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Lauren Adkins, Assistant Director of Programs for the National Main Street Center, joined the communities at the certification ceremony. There are currently 22 Main Street organizations in Tennessee, joining more than 2,000 communities nationwide that have been accredited by the National Main Street Center.

ECD provides these communities with technical assistance and expertise in developing long-term strategies that promote economic growth and development, focusing on revitalization through the context of historic preservation. The department also helps communities forge public-networking and training opportunities for their downtown commercial districts.

"It's an honor for me to celebrate with McMinnville in their achievement of Tennessee Main Street Program certification," said ECD Assistant Commissioner of Community Development Rick Meredith. "McMinnville is truly taking a strategic approach to the development and historical preservation of its downtown district, and its success in the Tennessee Main Street Program is evidence of just how much McMinnville has to offer."

Tennessee communities have participated in the Main Street Program since 1983. Communities are certified by Tennessee Main Street Program through an application process and must meet accreditation standards set by the National Main Street Center, including broad-based community support for the program, a comprehensive work plan, a sufficient operating budget and adequate staff and volunteers to support the program.

Photo shows Left to Right: ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber, Lauren Adkins, Assistant Director of Programs for the National Main Street Center, State Representative Judd Methany, State Representative Charles Curtiss, McMinnville Warren County Chamber of Commerce President Alicea Weddington, Governor Phil Bredesen, Main Street McMinnville Executive Director Chris Wilson, McMinnville Mayor Royce Davenport, Main Street McMinnville Board Member Randy Garrison, McMinnville Warren County Chamber of Commerce Board Member Rodney Boyd, and ECD Assistant Commissioner of Community Development Rick Meredith.