Contact:  Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email at darlene.schlicher@capitol.tn.gov

(NASHVILLE, TN), March 4, 2010 – Local State Senator Mike Faulk said today that he has been informed by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development that Jefferson City is one of 10 communities selected to participate in the  Tennessee Downtowns program.  The program seeks to revitalize traditional commercial districts in downtowns across the state.
 
“I am very pleased that Jefferson City was chosen for this program and congratulate our local officials for their work on receiving this opportunity,” said Senator Faulk.  “We have a unique downtown district with historic charm that should be preserved for generations to come.  This program will help in these revitalization efforts and in turn, serves as economic development tool to bring new businesses into the city.”
 
Jefferson City was chosen in a highly competitive selection process.  That process consisted of five core criteria: historic resources, need (economic and physical), demonstrated local effort, overall presentation and probability of success.  The program provides the cities chosen with 18-months of technical assistance, which includes training on downtown revitalization and historic preservation, an introductory site visit and attendance at a two-day downtown revitalization workshop. Program directors in Tennessee Main Street communities will also mentor and assist Tennessee Downtowns in their revitalization efforts.

According to the Department of Economic and Community Development , the Main Street revitalization is a comprehensive, incremental, self-help economic strategy that also focuses on developing public-private partnerships to enhance community livability and job creation, while maintaining the historic character of the district. For information about the Main Street Program and the Main Street Four Point Approachtm, visit http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/about-main-street/.

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