Mossy Creek Foundation Awarded $100,000 Facade Improvement Grant

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam along with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development recently awarded Mossy Creek Foundation a $100,000 grant through the Façade Improvement Grant Program. This program derives from Tennessee’s federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds used to improve commercial buildings in downtown districts that have active revitalization programs in place through the Tennessee Main Street and Tennessee Downtowns programs.

Property owners in the Historic Mossy Creek District will be able to apply for these funds through Mossy Creek Foundation for various improvements including new awnings, signs, painting, building repair, and other exterior upgrades.

A property owners meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 25, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. to explain the application process and program guidelines. Meeting will take place in Room 111, Blye-Poteat Hall on the Carson-Newman campus—742 W. College St., Jefferson City. For any questions, please call Kay O’Brien, Mossy Creek Foundation President (254.855.2693), or use the Contact link at www.MossyCreekFoundation.org.

Background:
• $25,000 facade grant received by Mossy Creek Foundation in 2014
• Grant was used to improve facades of six (6) downtown properties
• Improvements led to the City of Jefferson City partnering with Mossy Creek Foundation to build
Mossy Creek Station on four (4) vacant lots in the Historic Mossy Creek District—the venue for
multiple parades, veterans events, concerts, and outdoor movies since its dedication on April 25, 2017.
• Since receiving the 2014 facade grant, over a dozen downtown properties have changed hands;
improvements are ongoing

It’s a common story among small towns: businesses move away from downtown in the name of progress, leaving behind great old buildings—and even greater memories of social connection. Once the buildings are forgotten, part of the town’s culture disappears. In response to a too-long-neglected historic district, Mossy Creek Foundation is working hard to revive the history and culture of Mossy Creek (became Jefferson City in 1901). Excitement is in the air. Buildings are changing hands and being restored, the most recent being the iconic Old City Hall /Masonic Lodge which was named to the 2016 East Tennessee Preservation Alliance Endangered 8. It’s a new day in old Mossy Creek!

Quote from Kay O’Brien, President, Mossy Creek Foundation:

“Mossy Creek Foundation is thrilled to be able to facilitate this generous grant to benefit small businesses in the Historic Mossy Creek District. The vision for a new day in the old downtown is becoming reality, and this opportunity will help meet the challenge of repurposing historic properties. We invite all property owners to join us for an information meeting on January 25th. We agree with our city leaders – we are a “small town with big ideas!” Working together, we will have a vibrant downtown once again. About Mossy Creek Foundation BUILDING ON THE PAST—ENVISIONING THE FUTURE A 501(c)3 organization since 2013, its mission is to lead in the reimagining and revitalization of historic downtown Jefferson City, TN, transforming neglected spaces into hubs of community and conveying the culture of Mossy Creek to the next generation. To learn more, visit www.mossycreekfoundation.org or call us at 865.406.5909.