Statewide
Series Presenting Innovative Solutions for Rural Economic Development
NASHVILLE –
Registration is now open for the Tennessee Main Street and Tennessee Downtowns
Creative Community Summits to be held in September in Jackson, Franklin and
Greeneville. Sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community
Development and USDA Rural Development, the summits will focus on innovative
solutions and strategies to generate economic growth in rural
communities. The summits are free of charge; however, seating is
limited. Please visit www.tennesseemainstreet.org/workshop.html to
register.
“The Creative Community Summits are a direct response to
needs identified during our recent rural development roundtables held across
the state,” Bill Hagerty, ECD commissioner, said. “By leveraging the natural assets of
our rural communities and helping prepare our rural areas for competing
in today’s global economy, we
will lay the ground work for future economic growth.”
The Creative Community Summits will
be held in three locations across the state:
- Tuesday,
Sept. 25 - The NED, Jackson, Tenn.
- Wednesday,
Sept. 26 - The Franklin Theatre, Franklin, Tenn.
- Thursday,
Sept. 27 - The Niswonger Performing Arts Center, Greeneville, Tenn.
These day-long summits will offer attendees interactive
presentations, educational sessions, networking opportunities and access to
resources across the state that will encourage businesses and communities to
refocus and improve their marketing strategies and turn their business or
marketplace into a destination.
Topics include “Growing Destination Businesses” with
nationally recognized speaker Jon Schallert and “Cultivating Local Heritage
Tourism, Arts, Culture and Agriculture to Jump Start a Rural Economy” presented
by the National Trust Main Street Center Senior Program Officers Kathy LaPlante
and Norma Ramirez de Miess.
“The summits are an excellent opportunity for stakeholders,
business leaders and community partners to hear from national experts on what
is working for similar communities across the country and learn what
communities can do in their own backyards to encourage economic development and
growth,” Dan Hawk, ECD Rural Development director, said.
Each summit is free of charge, and
lunch is included for the first 200 registrants at each location.
Additional lunch tickets may be purchased once the 200 capacity is met.
For more information or to register to attend one of the Creative Community
Summits, visit www.tennesseemainstreet.org/workshop.html.
About the Tennessee Department of
Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic
and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make
Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The
department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works
with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us
on the web: tn.gov/ecd. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd.
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
