Decatur and Spring City get Tennessee Downtowns grants

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) – Two more towns in our area have been chosen for a makeover as part of the Tennessee Downtowns program.

The Department of Economic and Community Development created the Tennessee Downtowns program to help rural communities improve their look.

The state picked a dozen communities this year, including Decatur and Spring City in southeast Tennessee.

Aerial view of downtown Decatur, TN

They must have a downtown area dating back more than 50 years to qualify.

The towns agree to redevelop them according to Main Street guidelines.

Decatur and Spring City will get a $15,000 grant, plus training for their community leaders on the Main Street approach.

Copperhill, Ducktown, Dunlap, Etowah, Jasper, Pikeville, South Pittsburg and Tracy City have all taken part in the Tennessee Downtowns program in the past.

“The investments we make in rural Tennessee benefit all Tennesseans, and the Tennessee Downtowns program allows us to equip some of our most rural communities with the tools needed to better develop and revitalize their downtown districts,” said TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter. “I congratulate the 12 communities participating in the latest round of the program and look forward to seeing how their downtowns flourish and attract new growth in the years to come.”