Livingston taking its first step Thursday toward developing a strategic plan and identifying future projects under the city’s new official Main Street designation.
Overton County Tourism Director Morgan White said Tennessee Main Street State Director Kim Parks will introduce the program to new Main Street board members and begin working with the group on what the state calls transformational strategies.
“I think the biggest thing for me is after this,” White said, “I hope that our board members feel confident and have a good understanding of the Tennessee Main Street program, how special it is to be a part of this, to be one of four in the Upper Cumberland, the benefits that come from this.”
White said Livingston already has several projects underway that will become part of those discussions. Those include sidewalk improvements, a downtown improvement grant application and the caboose project.
“So of course we’ll be coming to this meeting with those things in mind and figuring out where those fall within the strategic plan,” White said.
Thursday’s session will also help officials understand the responsibilities that come with maintaining Livingston’s designation. White is required to attend quarterly state training sessions, while the city must meet reporting and other program requirements.
White said she wants the meeting to prepare local officials to explain the program and begin applying successful ideas from other communities to Livingston.
“That conversation will continue and it won’t be over then,” White said. “Then we’ll enter into the grant that I told you about with USDA and Downtown Strategies to actually do a five-year strategic plan.”
White said developing the five-year strategic plan will take time, and there is not yet a date for when the completed document will be in place.
“We can’t continue to execute or do things without having a plan,” White said. “So hopefully it won’t take too long.”
Thursday’s meeting will begin that process while giving Livingston officials their first opportunity to work directly with Parks since receiving the official designation.
