Tennessee RiverTowns Program
Tennessee RiverTowns Program Community Spotlights
Are you ready to paddle the entire Tennessee River with us? Whether you're near or far, we have a virtual paddle experience for everyone.
Along our (virtual) journey of the 652-miles, you'll learn about some of our favorite destinations -- our 2021 Tennessee RiverTowns Program communities -- along the river through photos and short bios. Our journey begins at Mile 652 in Knoxville, TN, and we ended at Mile 000 in Paducah, KY.
Click below to get started on your virtual 652-mile journey down the Tennessee River.
The Tennessee RiverTown Program is…
A voluntary, three-stage program which is comprised of a flexible system of achievable benchmarks and reciprocal support for participating Tennessee River communities that cultivates collaboration and innovation in this shared pursuit. The support and creative capacity offered by Tennessee RiverLine staff, with the invaluable insights, inspired effort and novel ideas brought forward by each community, propels the vision forward and empowers participating communities of all sizes and means to establish their own reach of the Tennessee RiverLine. Over time, each community’s effort - driven by its unique opportunities, priorities, and relationship with the Tennessee River - connects to become North America’s next great regional trail system.
Why Should My Community Become a Tennessee RiverTown?
The Tennessee RiverLine Offers your community…
Opportunities for local entrepreneurship and regional economic development as part of a resilient and renewable economy.
Enhanced quality of life that distinguishes your community to potential residents, businesses and visitors.
Healthy lifestyle opportunities that promote physical and mental wellness in an era of social distancing.
New generations of Tennessee River advocates and active river stewards.
As a tennessee Rivertown your community is…
Marketed as a featured destination within the Tennessee RiverLine system. Local services and destinations, and attractions are featured in experience guides, trip planning tools and mobile applications.
Eligible for exclusive grant and programming opportunities, technical and grant writing support and collaborative grant applications.
Integral to a historic initiative of local, regional and national significance.
Part of an invested regional network of collaborative project stakeholders.
How Can My Community Become a Tennessee RiverTown?
Apply: The Tennessee RiverTowns Program is open to all Tennessee River communities: counties, cities, towns, or consortium thereof. The Tennessee RiverLine Partnership will accept applications each year during an application period advertised at tnriverline.org.
Enroll: Applicants are evaluated for program enrollment on the merits of their application materials, their demonstration of an understanding of the Tennessee RiverLine vision and Tennessee RiverTowns Program, and their support of the project’s guiding principles as articulated in their application materials. Applicants are not competing against each other.
Satisfy Benchmarks: Each program stage includes flexible benchmarks designed to build local capacity and engage community residents and leaders in a process of discovery, planning and development. In collaboration with Tennessee RiverLine staff and other stakeholders, each community works to satisfy benchmark activity and reporting requirements.
Contribute: During Stage 1, enrolled communities contribute $750 annually.
During Stage 2: Connect, enrolled communities whose population is below 50,000 contribute $750 each year. Communities whose population is between 50,00-100,000 contribute $1,500 each year. Communities whose population is above 100,000 contribute $2,250 each year.
Community population is based on the collective population of the enrolled community, whether it be a single city, county or consortium of cities and counties.
Learn More About the Tennessee RiverTowns Program
The Tennessee RiverTowns Program is a new initiative of the Tennessee RiverLine Partnership. Visit the Tennessee RiverTowns Resources Page where you will find the resources we have designed to help communities as they consider applying and on their journey to becoming a Tennessee RiverTown:
Tennessee RiverTowns Executive Summary
Tennessee RiverTowns Information Brochure
Tennessee RiverTowns Reference Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction Webinar
Do you have a question that you can't find the answer to in these resources? Send it to us at info@tnriverline.org and we'll get back with you as soon as possible!
Tennessee RiverTowns Enrollee Portal
Each community that is Enrolled in the Tennessee RiverTowns program can access the Tennessee RiverTowns Community Portal by clicking below. This portal holds links to all of the necessary resources and documentation that is required for submission as a part of the Tennessee RiverTowns Program. If you have any questions email our Program Manager at lizzy@tnriverline.org
