$1 Million Investment Powers RiverTowns Vision Across Appalachia

The Tennessee RiverLine is proud to announce a transformative investment that accelerates its mission to celebrate, connect, and catalyze opportunity across the Tennessee River Valley. A $500,000 planning grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), matched by $500,000 in local funds, will support the RiverTowns Program—a $1 million initiative that advances the RiverLine’s bold vision in 15 Appalachian communities across Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Awarded through ARC’s Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE), this grant fuels strategic actions that will strengthen the reach and impact of the RiverTowns Program and enhance regional quality of life through outdoor recreation and tourism-based economic development. The RiverTowns Program embraces the original concept of restorative recreation, which refers to the use of outdoor experiences such as paddling, walking or gathering along the river as a means to promote personal well-being, strengthen community identity, and support long-term regional resilience. 

“Restorative recreation is more than a concept — it’s a commitment to engage outdoor recreation and investment in the infrastructures that make outdoor experiences possible as an intentional strategy to restore connections to place, economic resilience, environmental health, and community well-being,” said Brad Collett, Executive Director of the Tennessee RiverLine. “This investment helps us accelerate our vision, expand partnerships, and prepare to deliver measurable impact for the region and beyond.”

The project builds on momentum generated by the RiverTowns Program, which engages enrolled communities in a shared journey of discovery, design, and development. With support from this grant, the Tennessee RiverLine will pursue four key goals:

  • Optimize the RiverTowns Program to better serve participating communities and broaden engagement across the region;

  • Develop actionable plans for eco- and heritage tourism assets, including regional interpretation and storytelling, that showcase the natural and cultural richness of the Tennessee River;

  • Advance infrastructure projects that demonstrate restorative recreation principles while connecting more people to the water safely and sustainably;

  • Convene stakeholders to share learnings and inspire scalable impact throughout the Appalachian region.

This is made possible by a multi-state alliance of partners, including local leaders, tourism organizations, economic development agencies and nonprofit collaborators who share in the RiverLine’s vision. Collaborators from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, UT Knoxville, University of North Alabama, Auburn University, Trust for Public Land, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Tishomingo County (MS) Tourism Council will help shape community-driven priorities, inform regional strategies, and ensure that the initiative reflects the unique assets and aspirations of each participating place. 

According to a 2022 economic impact study, increased participation in outdoor recreation along the Tennessee RiverLine’s 652-mile reach could generate an estimated $104 million in direct and indirect spending, support nearly 2,000 jobs, and contribute more than $65 million in personal income across the region. As part of this new initiative, new analysis will build on that foundation—providing updated estimates to guide future investments and measure the growing impact of the RiverLine vision. 

This analysis and other project outcomes will be used to pursue implementation funding from ARC and other partners. While the project’s scope is limited to 17 counties along the Tennessee River served by ARC, its learnings and momentum it will help build will benefit all RiverTowns communities.

As a vision powered by partnerships, this milestone reflects the collective efforts of UT Extension, UT Knoxville, TVA, local leaders, and regional allies who believe in the river’s power to inspire thriving communities and connected lives.

“Our strategic plan for 2025–2027 emphasizes transformational investments that align with local aspirations and regional priorities,” Collett said. “This award allows us to go further, faster—bringing more communities along on the journey and building the infrastructure of a truly connected river park.”