TN.gov Newsroom

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen joined Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matthew Kisber in certifying 90 Three-Star Communities and 22 Tennessee Main Street programs at a recent recognition ceremony in Nashville.

'Congratulations to each of these outstanding communities for their achievement,' Governor Bredesen said. “They have demonstrated through their participation in our Main Street and Three-Star Community programs that they are serious about achieving results through strategic planning and realistic goal-setting. These elements are essential for a community’s improvement and development, and the significant time and effort invested will produce tangible results for these communities.”

Tennessee Main Street and Three-Star programs must receive annual certification from the governor by achieving strategic economic goals. The Main Street program in Savannah was certified for the first time this year, joining more than 2,200 other programs nationwide that receive accreditation from the National Main Street Program. Three of the Three-Star communities received their first certification.

“The certification that each of these counties has received represents tremendous hard work, and I am proud to offer my congratulations,” Kisber said. “Strong community development is the basis for sustainable economic growth, and these communities have demonstrated their commitment to improvement by accepting and meeting the challenging requirements of these programs. This dedication has yielded progress, and these communities are more prepared than ever for long term success in the economic, and every other, arena.”

Governor Bredesen’s five-year asset-based economic development strategic plan is the cornerstone of the Tennessee Three-Star and Main Street programs.

The Tennessee Main Street program focuses on downtown revitalization and historic preservation as a step toward business development and greater livability. Tennessee’s Three-Star program helps urban and rural communities develop strategic economic and community development plans that meet the needs and challenges of an ever-changing economic environment. Both programs help communities preserve existing employment, create new employment opportunities, improve family income and develop a strong leadership base for economic development.

Communities seeking certification as a Three-Star community must reach a variety of benchmarks in organizational, community, business, education and work force development categories. Communities participating in the Tennessee Main Street program must meet several requirements before becoming certified, 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. To learn more about both programs and to download photos of each community at the recognition ceremony, visit ECD’s Web site at www.tnecd.gov.

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to create higher skilled, better paying jobs for all Tennesseans. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tnecd.gov.