East Tennessee Rewards Magazine™

Maryville Aspires to Be a Main Street Community

by Ashley Schwartz

Many of you are probably not aware of the exciting movements taking place in Blount County’s very own Downtown Maryville! For the past several years, the Downtown Maryville Association has been working hard to take the heavy steps toward revitalization. Facing many obstacles, the association has had its share of challenges. As time moves forward, you will see the fruits of this ambitious groups labor if you stop to take a peek. One of the most obvious being the green state signs that labels the historic downtown, which can be found at the four main entrances to the downtown area.

About a year ago, the association fi led for a grant through the Tennessee Downtowns program. Although the association turned down for this grant, the application served as a catalyst for applying to become a Tennessee Main Street Community.

A few months back, the association welcomed Ethiel Garlington, director of Preservation Field Services for Knox Heritage and Barbara Garrrow, president of the Dandridge Community Trust and owner of the Dandridge General Store. Barbara along with many other volunteers in Dandridge, was instrumental in establishing Dandridge as a Main Street Community and creating programs like the Farmer’s Market, Scots-Irish Festival, and revitalizing one of the most historic buildings downtown. Ethiel spoke about the Main Street Program and Barbara fi lled us in on how Dandridge prepared to become a Main Street Community.

Take a short drive up I-40 and admire what this area’s own local downtown association has done to improve its community. Th is will show everyone that it is realistic to have hope and one day, our downtown will be full and alive again like it was in the 1940s.•