CLARKSVILLE-MONTGOMERY COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BLUEPRINT

CLARKSVILLE-MONTGOMERY COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BLUEPRINT
Strategy: Promote the establishment of a shared public vision and commitment to the long-term growth and development of
central Clarksville.
For the transformation of central Clarksville-Montgomery County to be successful, a broad consensus must be developed among leaders and citizens
throughout Montgomery County acknowledging the importance of central Clarksville-Montgomery County to the region’s long-term economic vitality.
In its Market Analysis for Clarksville Downtown & Riverfront District, TEG researched five benchmark communities (Knoxville, TN; Chattanooga, TN;
Greenville, SC; Columbus, GA; and Little Rock, AR) to identify lessons and useful models that could be applied in Clarksville. They found that in all
cases downtown and waterfront renewal was a multi-decade process that required a sustained public commitment in terms of both policy and
financing. Such a commitment will be crucial to Clarksville-Montgomery County as well. CMCEDC can play a central role in educating the public on
the importance of central cities and bringing the public agencies together to establish a shared vision.
Actions:
• CMCEDC should partner with local groups and organizations, including the Two Rivers Company to organize and help fund a public
awareness and education campaign designed to highlight the economic importance of central Clarksville to the entire county.
• Encourage city, county, and higher education officials to hold a meeting or retreat to discuss opportunities for mutual participation in central
Clarksville revitalization.
• CMCEDC should publicly endorse the TEG Market Analysis for Downtown and Riverfront and the UT Urban Design Study.
• Consider the development and location of the Montgomery County Port Authority’s River Port nearby central Clarksville-Montgomery
County.
Strategy: Establish a City-County working group to develop a co-investment strategy for community development.
Establishing a unified vision is only meaningful if a plan exists to carry-out that vision. The community has already commissioned the studies and
recommendations that detail how to transform Clarksville-Montgomery County and what it could potentially look like. Now an investment strategy is
needed that identifies sustainable sources and levels of public funds to make the recommendations a reality. The TEG analysis laid out specific
options for funding/management/operating downtown and riverfront development. These options include expanded direct public funding, a
Business Improvement District (BID), and Tax Increment Financing (TIF). For some of these options to be realistic and impactful over the long term, it
will require more than just the financial participation of City of Clarksville.
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