Loudon city leaders talk expansion of downtown area

LOUDON, Tenn. (WVLT) – Thanks to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, downtown Loudon will soon begin to see improvements.

Loudon was among 12 downtown communities across Tennessee to be selected to receive help, which comes in the form of a $15,000 grant and two years of hands-on coaching and guidance from state leaders.

Previous Coverage: Four downtown communities in East Tennessee selected for revitalization

“A place where they can live, work and play. We wanted to create a place where we could get more folks living downtown,” said Mayor Jeff Harris on what he wants to see downtown become.

According to Kathy Price, who is contracted to help with downtown development, there are already plans in place to add more housing options around Loudon.

Other additions look to take the form of more shopping, restaurants and things for people to do in Loudon.

“I don’t think you’ll see a drastic change in the looks, hopefully just more activity and more people; that’s what we’re looking for,” said Price.

Price and Mayor Harris hope to keep the same tight-knit feel of Loudon in tact while also bringing more tourism and people from out of town to their growing city.

Right now, city leaders are in the process and early stages of putting together a master plan for future development and changes.

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