Resident Chris Baker urges downtown merchants association and revival of the Mineral Springs tourism draw

A resident who identified himself as Chris Baker outlined a plan for organizing downtown business owners and leveraging state programs to spur economic development.

"First step we talked about was a downtown merchants association," Baker said, describing conversations with local stakeholders and nonprofit partners to assemble an advisory council and pursue Tennessee downtown program participation and grants. Baker said he has met with regional partners (Stephanie, Stacy and Brent were named as contact points in the discussion) to learn how such programs work and identify potential grant or program support for downtown improvements.

Speakers discussed the Mineral Springs site and privately owned concrete reservoirs that some believe could be rehabilitated and marketed as a destination if grant funding were available; staff and residents noted some owners are willing to consider rehabilitation if grant funds can be secured. A historical speaker described prior merchant and industrial development efforts and cautioned that recruitment and infrastructure costs can be substantial.

Council thanked the speakers and encouraged community engagement in strategic planning, and staff said they would follow up with interested residents and potential advisory groups.