Redevelopment Strategy

Using the historic General Morgan Inn as a centerpiece, Rediscover Greeneville seeks to create a unique, pedestrian-oriented community where people can live, work and play within walking distance of a vibrant downtown.

By leveraging public and private capital, Rediscover Greeneville plans to attract the relocation of entrepreneurs and their new and developing businesses, encourage business creation within the local community, promote the redevelopment of downtown property, invite tourism and, ultimately, generate a renewable income strain.

Currently, Greeneville is a fairly isolated town of 16,000. Yet Rediscover Greeneville believes that, much like the original pioneers who settled here in the 1700s, many people today are searching for a new way of life. This new generation of pioneers includes young people who want the opportunity to stay in this region, knowledge-based and new technology businesses, the creative class and mobile entrepreneurs, baby boomers starting a second career, young people moving back home to start a family, retirees and individuals with personal wealth seeking security, livability and traditional values, and tourists looking for the perfect getaway.

The key component to the success of Rediscover Greeneville is attracting knowledge, wealth, creativity, tourism, and enterprise from outside the region while developing and educating the talent and resources that are already here. So how does Greeneville attract these pioneers?

Create a Region of Villages. Much like Provence or Tuscany, Northeast Tennessee lacks a single urban center. It's a cluster of villages, which, in concert, forms its own singular, regional identity; like a constellation of stars. As a result, it's vital that Greeneville's neighbors, picturesque and historic towns like Morristown, Johnson City and Kingsport, embrace similar programs of revitalization.

Create a Vibrant Downtown Greeneville. Rediscover Greeneville aims to generate a "critical mass" of businesses, restaurants, theaters, music venues and residential spaces in a revitalized and pedestrian-oriented downtown area of Greeneville.

Create and Attract New Businesses: Rediscover Greeneville will promote economic development by providing resources for entrepreneurship through small business investment programs such as the Niswonger Foundation. Our goal is to create 500 new jobs in downtown Greeneville.

Develop the Public Infrastructure: To complement the development of downtown Greeneville, various public infrastructure projects such as parking areas, streetscapes, and green areas will be built through Tax Increment Financing and both state and federal programs and initiatives.

Improve Education and Knowledge Recruitment: It's very important that young people in this region are exposed to a higher level of education and technical training. In addition, Rediscover Greeneville aims to bring in vocational, technical, artistic and administrative expertise from outside the region to train, educate and inspire our young people.

Create Affordable Housing: Obviously, one of the primary factors in any relocation is housing. One of the biggest strengths of the region is that housing is affordable. Rediscover Greeneville plans on significantly assisting in the rehabilitation of existing housing, the growth of single family housing and the creation of new housing such as lofts and condos within proximity of downtown. Our goal is to have 200 more people living with proximity of downtown.

Development and Investment Opportunities: Many people own property in and around downtown Greeneville. Rediscover Greeneville wants to encourage them to benefit from this revitalization project by developing and investing in their own property or bringing in new businesses or residents into their property.

Promote Tourism: With its strong historic draw, its community events, activities, and wealth of recreational opportunities, Greeneville and the greater Greene County area is an undiscovered tourist's paradise. The community is very fortunate to have the luxurious, historic and recently remodeled General Morgan Inn as a centerpiece. And with the hotel expanding from 52 rooms to 85 rooms, there is more room than ever to accommodate the regional and out-of-state tourists.

Implement a Nationwide Marketing Campaign: Rediscover Greeneville plans on implementing a significant marketing message outside the Greene County region. We want to showcase Greeneville on a national platform.