For over 200 years, Jonesborough merchants have taken pride in offering exclusive goods from around the world. Today, as always, service and style thrive all along the historic Main Street of Jonesborough, the heart and soul of the Town. Downtown is proud to have the streets lined with small businesses that fill their shops and boutiques with items that can be found only in Jonesborough.
Contact
| Cameo Waters | Main Street Director | 423.753.1013 |
| General Contact | Town Hall | 423.753.1031 |
Cameo Waters
Main Street Director
Town of Jonesborough, TennesseeMission Statement
The Main Street Jonesborough Program is a community effort to preserve and promote the heart of the community, which is our downtown. Together we unify the downtown historic district by creating an attractive destination in which businesses prosper, the community benefits and residents and visitors enjoy a quality experience.
Our Vision
To maintain Jonesborough’s downtown area as the focus of the community where history is preserved, businesses thrive, and residents and visitors dine, shop and enjoy the history, culture, storytelling, arts and entertainment.
Downtown Jonesborough Loan Program
The Downtown Jonesborough Loan program provides a financial opportunity for small business owners, property owners, or investors to purchase or renovate a downtown property; or to purchase equipment for the direct purpose of business creation, expansion, or retention. It offers the possibility of:
A low-interest loan of up to $25,000 (in some circumstances the loan can exceed $25,000) to be applied toward the down payment and/or closing costs for any existing or new business within the Downtown Jonesborough District.
A loan for renovation costs above the bank loan.
A microloan up to $25,000 (in some circumstances the loan can exceed $25,000) to cover renovation of buildings and financing for equipment loans.
Downtown Jonesborough Façade & Architectural Improvement Grant Program
Program Overview
The objective of the Downtown Jonesborough Façade & Architectural Improvement Grant Program (Façade Grant) is to provide incentives to improve the façade of buildings in an area within the Downtown Historic District in Jonesborough. By improving the appearance of building façades, the program serves to increase the economic viability of this area. Improved aesthetics also increase property values, enhance the marketability of space within the buildings, eliminate blight and draw businesses and residents to the area.
The Downtown Façade Grant is administered by the Town of Jonesborough (TOJ).
Community Involvement
Part of Main Street Jonesborough’s mission is to create an environment where area businesses can engage with residents, neighboring businesses, and leaders in Jonesborough and the surrounding areas. The program works to enhance downtown Jonesborough’s thriving local economy, rich character, and inviting public spaces that make residents and visitors feel that they belong. Main Street Jonesborough is vital in implementing and assisting with many of Jonesborough’s events throughout the year. The program partners with the Jonesborough Tourism Department to create multi-generational and family friendly festivals and events which increase the quality of life and invite visitors to experience downtown Jonesborough.
In May of 2013, Jonesborough was designated a Tennessee Main Street Community. Main Street is a program originally established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is now a subsidiary of the non-profit National Main Street Center.
The program has four (4) areas of emphasis including:
- Design
The restoration and maintenance of downtown buildings. - Economic Restructuring
The focus on business retention and recruitment in the downtown area. - Promotion
The marketing and promotional activities related to the downtown district. - Organization
The use of volunteers and associated effort to get citizens involved in the improvement of the downtown area.
Main Street Jonesborough has four (4) standing sub-committees representing the four-point Main Street approach. The organization is a state chartered non-profit corporation that partners with the Jonesborough Area Merchants and Services Association as well as the Town of Jonesborough. Residents interested in serving on one of the four standing committees, or in assisting the Main Street Program in Jonesborough in any way may contact the Main Street Director, Cameo Waters.
Cameo Waters can be reached at 423.753.1013 or by email.
Business Recruitment and Retention
A priority focus of Main Street Jonesborough is assisting in business recruitment and business retention. The Main Street Program assists existing and new businesses in many ways including promotion, permit facilitation, management workshops, etc. As one of nearly forty (40) Main Street communities in Tennessee, Jonesborough is a partner in the Tennessee Main Street Program.
Main Street Jonesborough Board of Directors
The Main Street Jonesborough Board is made up of 16 members, 10 of which are representative of the following organizations whose activities directly impact historic downtown Jonesborough.
| Terry Countermine | Main Street Board Chair and Heritage Alliance |
| Cameo Waters | Main Street Director |
| Mitchell Calvin | Website and Marketing Specialist (non-voting member) |
| Nora Sword | Marketing & Promotions Coordinator (non-voting member) |
| Dona Lewis | Jonesborough Area Merchants & Services Association |
| Lesley McDavid | International Storytelling Center |
| Theresa Hammons | McKinney Center |
| Amber Crumley | Jonesborough Visitors Center |
| Jim Rhein | Jonesborough Community Chest |
| Herman Jenkins | Jonesborough Senior Center |
| Zac Jenkins | Historic Zoning Commission |
| Emily Lamb | Jonesborough Locally Grown |
| Janette Gaines | Jonesborough Repertory Theatre |
The other six (6) members are represented by stakeholders and active community members in the downtown area and include:
| VACANT | Anne Mason |
| Jennifer Wolfe | Jerome Bowers |
| T. McLeod | VACANT |
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