NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — State officials say a program that aims to revitalize downtown commercial districts in communities across Tennessee generated more than $82 million in private and public investment last year.
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development says its Main Street program includes 24 towns and cities in the state.
The department says 604 jobs were generated and 107 new businesses sprang up in the 24 communities in 2012.
Main Street Murfreesboro Director Kathleen Herzog says her city was one of the first in Tennessee to receive the designation. She says every Main Street city has a slightly different emphasis.
“Murfreesboro Main Street – Rutherford County – is very heavy on promotions. We love to bring people to our historic downtown with a lot of our events, such as JazzFest which is coming up next weekend, May 3 and 4, and that’s kind of our signature event I guess you’d say.”
Other mid-state Main Street program communities include Columbia, Fayetteville, Franklin, Gallatin, Leiper's Fork, Lawrenceburg, and McMinnville.