Building Vibrant Food&Beverage Economies in TN Main Street | Cookeville TN

About the Conference

Food and beverage businesses are a cornerstone of strong, resilient Main Streets—driving foot traffic, job creation, tourism, and community identity. This one-day regional conference serves as the official kickoff of a new statewide partnership between Proof Programs, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), and Tennessee Main Street.

Designed for Main Street leaders, local governments, and economic development professionals, the conference will explore practical, proven strategies to recruit and support food and beverage businesses, activate vacant spaces, and build sustainable downtown ecosystems rooted in local entrepreneurship.

Attendees will also learn how businesses in Tennessee Main Street communities can access Proof’s on-demand and e-learning resources to extend support beyond the conference. Proof, TNECD, and Tennessee Main Street will introduce how 10 Main Street communities will be selected for deeper focus and additional technical assistance through this partnership.

Who Should Attend

Main Street directors, downtown, economic development, and planning professionals; city and county officials; tourism and chamber staff; lenders and developers; commercial property owners and brokers; and organizations that support entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Featured Speakers & Topics

• Retail Strategies – How cities successfully recruit restaurant and food-and-beverage brands
• Justin Wilks, Jefferson’s Restaurants – What operators look for in new locations and Jefferson’s community-centric small-town growth model
• The Pop-Up Project – Activating vacant spaces through pop-ups, events, and placemaking
• Tennessee Craft Brewers Association – Craft beer’s role in small-town revitalization and destination development
• Manage My Market – Growing farmers’ markets into regional economic drivers
• Frank Clark, Assistant Main Street Director – Creating pro-business community policy from both sides of the table: insights from a city and community planning perspective and lived experience as an entrepreneur opening and operating a coffee shop
• Lamont Price, Innovation Director, Community & Government Financial Markets (CGFM), TNECD – Overview of the Fund TN program and additional best-practice resources for communities, investors, and entrepreneurs
• Policy, finance, and entrepreneur support leaders from across Tennessee

Agenda Highlights

• Main Street revitalization through food & beverage
• Restaurant recruitment and site selection
• Community policy, zoning, and incentive tools
• Markets, festivals, and event-based activation
• Funding strategies for startups and expansions
• Building community-based entrepreneur support systems
• Networking brunch and Tennessee Brewers Association Happy Hour (after the event!)

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Proof Bar and Incubator