Tryon Downtown Development Association (TDDA) announces the receipt of $25,000 in operating support from Polk County Community Foundation. This is the third grant for operating support since receiving a Board Initiative Grant in the summer of 2015 to hire TDDA’s first executive director. These funds, in addition to support from the Town of Tryon and TDDA membership, will allow TDDA to continue to work towards their mission of an improved downtown.

Since receiving the Board Initiative Grant in 2015, TDDA has hired Jamie Carpenter as their full time executive director. Through the combined partnership with the Town of Tryon, the Tryon Main Street program is expected to become a nationally accredited Main Street program.

In addition, TDDA has worked to improve downtown through special events, partnerships with the Tryon Tourism Board for advertising, façade improvement grants, beautification efforts in partnership with the Polk County Appearance Commission, small business classes in partnership with Mountain BizWorks and working to make Downtown Tryon an overall business-friendly community.

Polk County Community Foundation has been a long-time supporter of TDDA through educational support with membership to the NC Center for Nonprofits, as well as supporting TDDA board and staff to attend conferences on subjects important to their mission.

Support TDDA by renewing a membership, attending the Tryon Rhythm & Wine Festival on Saturday, May 6 (tryonrhythmwine.com) and attending the TDDA annual meeting on Monday, June 26 at Sunnydale.

For more information about the Tryon Downtown Development Association, visit downtowntryon.org or call 828-859-6484.

Article submitted by Jamie Carpenter